Reduction of human blood O2 affinity using dihydroxyacetone, phosphate, and pyruvate

Abstract

Human blood oxygen affinity (BOA) was measured after blood from six normal donors was incubated with 4 concentrations of dihydroxyacetone (0.022, 0.044, 0.088, and 0.175 M) plus equimolar disodium phosphate and pyruvate (sodium salt) (0.013, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 M) in solutions labeled DDP X 1, DDP X 2, DDP X 4, and DDP X 8, respectively. Blood P50 rose (BOA was reduced) from a control value of 26.0 +/- 0.4 Torr (mean +/- SD) to 29.4 +/- 0.6, 30.6 +/- 0.4, 31.9 +/- 0.15 and 33.3 +/- 1.4 Torr after 2 h of incubation at 37 degrees C with solutions DDP X 1, DDP X 2, DDP X 4, and DDP X 8, respectively. P50 changes at 2 h were 75% complete within 30 min. During these incubations, erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration rose from 0.76 +/- 0.09 mol/mol Hb (control) to 1.09 +/- 0.17, 1.14 +/- 0.10, 1.33 +/- 0.15, and 1.45 +/- 0.25 mol/mol Hb with increasing solution concentration. BOA is decreased by an increase in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG. Reduced BOA may improve oxygen delivery to ischemic tissues.