Uptake of labelled amino acids into human erythrocytes in disease

Abstract

The red cell uptake of [ 14C]glycine and [ 14C]alanine has been studied in vitro. Red cells from healthy controls have been compared with red cells from patients with specified diseases. The red cells from patients with malignant disease, active inflammation, and hyperthyreosis showed increased uptake of [ 14C]glycine. Increased uptake of [ 14C]-glycine was also found in anaemia with high reticulocyte counts. None of the above goups showed a significantly increased uptake of [ 14C]alanine under similar experimental conditions. These findings suggest the possibility that the increased uptake of [ 14C]glycine in the above conditions may be related to an increased rate of glutathione synthesis.