In vitro aging of red blood cells and lipid peroxidation.

Incubating isolated erythrocytes in phosphate buffered saline supplied with sufficient glucose (20 mM) for several days resulted in methemoglobin formation and decrease in glycolytic and antioxidant enzyme activities. Volatile hydrocarbon gas release (ethane, ethylene, propane, butane, isobutane, pentane) and loss of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid (20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) in the erythrocyte membrane indicated possible involvement of peroxidative reactions in cellular aging processes.