Abstract
The applicability to red blood cells of two widely used methods for spectrophotometric assay of superoxide dismutase activity has been 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 found to be inapplicable, even after removal of hemoglobin by chloroform-ethanol extraction. On the other hand, the epinephrine oxidation method gave reliable values after chloroform-ethanol extraction. The enzyme content in normal adults was found to be 6.2 +/- 1.4 X 10(15) gr. per 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 oxygen radicals which is to be expected in thalassemic red blood cells.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
