Zellosmolarit�t und Zellwassergehalt: Klinische und experimentelle Untersuchungen an Erythrocyten

Problems of comparing blood glucose molality and molarity determined with an Omni, an EML 105 and an Ebio analyser

The comparability between glucose concentrations measured in various sample systems is still a matter of debate. Decision limits are usually determined in venous plasma and then converted to either blood or to the aqueous compartment (activity). The conversion factors recommended have not yet been generally accepted. In the present study, glucose concentrations were determined in blood and plasma with an Ebio analyser (molarity) and in the aqueous compartment with both an EML 105 and an Omni (molality). All analytical results were referred to the same aqueous standard solution. The Ebio results agreed with reference method values in control materials. Concentrations determined in the various sample systems from patients (molarity) correlated well with the molality values measured either with the EML or the Omni. However, the mean values of the EML were not consistent with those derived theoretically by considering the different water content. With the Omni, only molality values in whole blood appeared plausible, but not in plasma, although the two sample systems should provide identical molality values. The EML results were almost identical in whole blood and plasma. Theoretically, glucose molality would be the ideal diagnostic quantity. However, no diagnostic advantage of molality determined in whole blood with the Omni vs. molarity values could be detected in a group of 40 non-diabetic and 27 diabetic subjects.

Gravimetric determination of the water concentration in whole blood, plasma and erythrocytes and correlations with hematological and clinicochemical parameters

We have assessed gravimetric methods for determination of intravascular water, established whole blood-, plasma- and erythrocyte water reference values in a healthy volunteer group (n = 97, 48 females) and correlated these variables with 30 simultaneous hematological, clinicochemical and body parameters. The water standard was 55.56 mol/kg = 100 mass %. For erythrocyte water determination three methods were evaluated: 2 indirect methods were easy to perform, the third, using a hematocrit centrifuge, was the most reliable. Imprecision (within-batch coefficient of variation (CV), %) was excellent: whole blood 0.2, plasma 0.1, erythrocytes 0.7-2.2 and recoveries (means, %) 99.7-100.1. Serum water was found to be slightly higher than plasma water. Volunteer group, mean reference values, mass %: whole blood water 79.7, plasma water 91.2, erythrocyte water, three methods 66.2, 64.6 and 64.2, respectively. Females had mean 1.6 mass % higher whole blood water and 0.9-1.0 mass % higher erythrocyte water than males with no difference in plasma water. In the volunteer group whole blood water correlated strongly with hematocrit (r = -0.96), hemoglobin (r = -0.94) and erythrocytes (r = -0.85) and centrifuge hematocrit (r = -0.91). Plasma water correlated strongly with plasma total protein (r = -0.74, all correlations P < 0.001). Hemoglobin and hematocrit can serve as surrogate parameters for whole blood water when water determination is not available; total protein reflects plasma water.

Formation of hydrogen peroxide during precipitation of red cells with perchloric acid. A cautionary note for precise determination of pyruvate, GSH, and NAD(P)H

The instability of pyruvate in neutralized perchloric acid extracts of erythrocytes is well-known from the literature. As shown in this study, the main reason for this phenomenon is a reaction of pyruvate with hydrogen peroxide, which is formed from oxyhemoglobin during acid precipitation. Thereby, pyruvate is oxidized to carbon dioxide and acetate. This decomposition is easily prevented by addition of catalase to the neutralized extracts, whereby authentic pyruvate can be determined precisely. Similarly, GSH and NAD(P)H oxidation in the extracts is prevented by addition of catalase.

Formation and transport of xenobiotic glutathione-S-conjugates in red cells

In vitro studies with freshly drawn human erythrocytes showed 4-dimethylaminophenol, a cyanide antidote, to be rapidly metabolized with the formation of a transient S,S-(2-dimethylamino-5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene)bis-glutathione conjugate and a stable S,S,S-(2-dimethylamino-5-hydroxy-1,3,4-phenylene)tris-glutathione conjugate. The stable tri-glutathionyl derivative was actively transported across the red cell membrane with an apparent Vmax = 1 nmol/min/ml red cell suspension (15 g hemoglobin/100 ml) and Km = 0.5 mM. The transport system was strictly unidirectional, inhibited completely by sodium fluoride and reduced to one-fifth by lowering the temperature from 37 to 22 degrees. Similarly S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione, the glutathione-S-transferase mediated glutathione-S-conjugate with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, was unidirectionally transported, a process which was inhibited by sodium fluoride. Kinetic analysis revealed two different transport processes: Vmax = 0.9 nmol/min/ml, Km = 1.4 microM and Vmax = 4.5 nmol/min/ml, Km = 700 microM. Mutual inhibition of the low affinity transport system was found for both glutathione-S-conjugates. The apparent energies of activation for all these transport processes and for GSSG were identical (70 kJ/mol) suggesting at least one common carrier for the excretion of the three glutathione-S-conjugates.

What is the correct value for the brain--blood partition coefficient for water?

A knowledge of the brain-blood partition coefficient (lambda) for water is usually required for the measurement of CBF with [15O]water. The currently accepted value for whole-brain lambda, 0.95-0.96 ml/g, calculated from brain and blood water content data, is incorrect because in the calculation, the blood water content was not adjusted for the density of blood. The correct value is 0.90 ml/g. Variations in brain or blood water content affect lambda. Thus, lambda changes during development of the brain and varies regionally in it, even among different gray matter structures, owing to variation in brain water content. In addition, lambda would be expected to vary with the hematocrit, owing to changes in blood water content. The impact of using an incorrect value for lambda will depend on the sensitivity of the CBF measurement technique used to errors in lambda.

In vitro effects of contrast media on the water content of human erythrocytes

The effect of the concentration of the contrast media Visotrast 370, Dimer X and Adipiodon on the water content of human erythrocytes was analysed in vitro. While a concentration-dependent water discharge (shrinkage) of erythrocytes was found in the presence of Visotrast 370 and Dimer X, the application of Adipiodon caused water uptake (swelling). Possible causes of swelling of red blood cells despite the hyperosmolality of Adipiodon are discussed.