Ergothioneine Depletion in Rabbit Erythrocytes and Its Effect on Methemoglobin Formation and Reversion

Abstract

Erythrocytes of rabbits fed a purified diet are nearly or completely devoid of ergothioneine. The amount of ergothioneine in the red cells of such rabbits increases on addition of liver or ergothioneine to the diet. The rate of methemoglobin formation and reversion in washed erythrocytes after addition of NaNO2 is related inversely to the ergothioneine blood levels. The glutathione blood level was not influenced by the exptl. diet.