The reduction of methaemoglobin in red blood cells and studies on the cause of idiopathic methaemoglobinaemia

Abstract

Met-Hb reduction in normal erythrocytes takes place through the oxidation of triosephosphate and lactate in the presence of coenzyme factor I, coenzyme I and the respective enzymes. Blood from patients with idiopathic methemo-globinemia contains less coenzyme factor I activity and it is suggested that this is responsible for the failure of reduction of methemoglobin observed in this blood. Coenzyme II dehy-drogenases are not significant normally in met-Hb reduction but are responsible for the reduction of met-Hb with methy-lene blue.