Characteristics of the metabolism of erythrocytes in pregnant women with anemia
D'iakova, N.G.
Gematologiia i Transfuziologiia 30(6): 37-42
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0234-5730 PMID: 4018530 Document Number: 249767
The red cell population in the pregnant women suffering from anemia of varying severity, differs from that in the normal pregnant by high rate of glycolysis, and elevated activity of the enzymes hexokinase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. It is characterized by a higher concentration of 2,3-DPG, ADP, pyruvate and the sum of NAD and NADN, but a reduced content of ATP, and lowered ratios of lactate/pyruvate and NAD/NADN. The degree of the changes in these values depends on the severity of the disease course and reaches its maximum in patients with severe iron deficiency anemia. It is suggested that the rise of the enzymatic activity and metabolites level is connected with a possible rejuvenescence of the red cell population. The decrease of the ATP level in the presence of a high glycolysis rate denotes that besides immaturity some other impairments of the structure and metabolism may develop in the red cells of anemia pregnant women.