The composition of red cell lipids and the activity of two enzymes of the erythrocyte membrane (ATPase and acetylcholinesterase) in primary refractory anemias

Abstract

In a group of patients with primary refractory anemia, the content of total red cell cholesterol, total red cell phospholipids and individual phospholipidic fractions and the activity of two enzymes of the erythrocyte membrane—ATPase and acetyl-cholinesterase—were studied. Patients with primary refractory anemia differ from the control group of healthy individuals by a marked decrease in the activity of red cell acetylcholinesterase. This decrease was significantly higher in patients with primary refractory anemia with aplastic bone marrow than in patients with normal or hyperplastic bone marrow. The mechanism underlying this decrease is discussed. On the other hand, other biochemical examinations, i.e. the examination of red cell lipids and the activity of ATPase of erythrocyte ghosts, did not reveal any deviations from normal values in the studied group of patients.