Monitoring metabolic reactions in erythrocytes using NMR spectroscopy.

The kinetics of several metabolic reactions in intact human erythrocytes and in lysates were studied using 1H spin-echo and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The reactions monitored involved the following enzymes: (1) arginase, (2) glutathione reductase, (3) glutathione synthetase, (4) gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase, (5) di- and tripeptidase, and (6) NAD-glycohydrolase; the first six enzymes are cytosolic whilst the latter is membrane associated. Detailed kinetics of the arginase reaction are given together with the rate of arginine transport into the cells.