OXYGENATION CAPACITY OF HYPOTONIZED AND CROSS-LINKED RAT ERYTHROCYTES

Rat erythrocytes subjected to hypotonic-isotonic dialysis, or crosslin king with bifunctional reagents (glutaraldehyde and dimethyl suberimid ate hydrochloride) show a high percentage of methemoglobin and decreas ed oxyhemoglobin content which implies a low oxygen carrying capacity. Such modified cells maintain reversible oxygen binding properties alt hough, they present a high hemoglobin oxygen affinity (low P-50) and a diminished cooperativity in binding oxygen to hemoglobin (low n). The se results suggest a reduced capacity of liberating oxygen to tissues under low PO2. Changes produced in erythrocytes can not be restored ev en in the presence of energy (ATP), reduced glutathione and 2,3-bispho sphoglyceric acid during the dialysis process or after crosslinking/pe rmeabilizing treatment.