SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE IN RED BLOOD-CELLS - METHOD OF ASSAY AND ENZYME CONTENT IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH BETA-THALASSEMIA (MAJOR AND INTERMEDIA)

Abstract

The applicability to red blood cells of 2 widely used methods for spectrophotometric assay of superoxide dismutase activity was tested, in view of the demand for routine screening of the level of this enzyme in various circumstances of hematological interest. The nitro blue tetrazolium reduction method was inapplicable, even after removal of Hb by chloroform-ethanol extraction. The epinephrine oxidation method gave reliable values after chloroform-ethanol extraction. The enzyme content in normal adults was 6.2 .+-. 1.4 .times. 10-15/red blood cell. No significant change in the enzyme content was found in 19 patients with .beta.-thalassemia major and 5 patients with .beta.-thalassemia intermedia, indicating no influence on the level of this enzyme by the increased flux of O radicals which is found in thalassemic red blood cells.