Erythrocyte metabolism in normal and glutathione-deficient sheep.

Glucose utilization and lactate formation in erythrocytes from normal and glutathione (GSH)-deficient sheep were similar. Significant differences were observed, however, between the 2 groups of sheep in the production of 14-CO2 from erythrocytes incubated with ascorbic acid or methylene blue, or both. The greater response of normal erythrocytes compared to erythrocytes deficient in GSH suggests that there are some metabolic differences in the pentose phosphate pathway (ppp) activity of the erythrocytes. The nature and site of these differences are, however, not known. When sheep were kept in a decompression chamber for 2 weeks and subjected to a simulated altitude of 7,000 m for 12 hours/day, the erythrocytes showed a four- to six-fold increase in the activity of the ppp.