Erythrocyte hexose monophosphate shunt is intact in healthy aged humans.
The integrity of the erythrocyte (RBC) hexose monophosphate shunt was investigated in a group of 33 healthy elderly individuals by determining their RBC glutathione content, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and glutathione regeneration. When these parameters were compared with those of the controls, 44 young healthy adults, no significant differences were found. This study indicates that the RBC hexose monophosphate shunt in healthy elderly individuals is intact. Factors other than senescence per se should be sought in elderly individuals who exhibit dysfunction of this shunt.
Foldes
J
J
Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Allweis
T M
TM
Menczel
J
J
Shalev
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010427:Pentose Phosphate Pathway
D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione