The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium by red blood cells: a measure of red cell membrane antioxidant capacity and hemoglobin-membrane binding sites

The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) with intact Red Blood Cells (RBCs) is biphasic with an initial rapid reduction followed by a slower second phase. This biphasic kinetics has been explained with the initial rapid phase attributed to antioxidants in the red cell which reduce membrane bound NBT and the slower phase associated with the reaction of NBT with membrane bound hemoglobin. This model has been confirmed by a utilization of a number of red cell modifications which either increase the red cell antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) or damage the red cell membrane (cumene hydroperoxide and N-ethylmaleimide). The utilization of this assay for human blood samples was investigated by studying a series of 20 human subjects ranging between 34 and 87 years of age. It was possible to fit all of these samples with two adjustable parameters which reflect the red cell membrane antioxidant capacity (x) and the hemoglobin membrane interactions (m). The antioxidant capacity shows a significant (p < 002; R = -.67) decrease with age. This finding is consistent with a decrease in the level of antioxidants in aged subjects. In addition, the number of hemoglobin membrane sites are negatively correlated with the antioxidant capacity (p < .02; R = -.52) suggesting that the oxidative stress associated with reduced antioxidants results in increased hemoglobin-membrane interactions.