Influence of metabolism on uptake of CO and O₂ by hemoglobin in erythrocytes

¹ Physics Department, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, England

The initial rate of oxygen uptake by hemoglobin in sheep erythrocytes, measured within 3 hr of blood collection, was found to be considerably higher than values previously observed. No similar effect was observed with carbon monoxide unless oxygen was also present. A decay curve of the initial rate with time, obtained on human erythrocytes, indicates that the cells reach a passive level within 2 hr in the absence of oxygen. The process is inhibited by NaF and no advantage was obtained on suspending the cells in their own plasma, rather than Ringer-Locke solution. An analysis of the results suggests that the membrane is increased by cell metabolism.