The effects of hydrogen-peroxide on rat reticulocyte energy metabolism

Abstract

Exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in concentrations of 2 and 5 mmol/l, but not 0.2 mmol/l and 1 mmol/l, induces significant changes of energy metabolism in retictiloeytes of rats. It induces reduction of total and coupled oxygen consumption accompanied by stimulation of glycolysis and increased degradation of adenine nucleotides. Due to inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation appears a significant decline of ATP production. However, simultaneous stimulation of glycolysis (Pasteur effect) is not sufficient to prevent the decline of ATP concentration. The loss of ATP is not compensated with an expected increase of ADP and AMP concentrations, but with an increase of hypoxanthine concentrations. Despite reduced overall ATP production and ATP concentrations, average energy turnover was not significantly changed. Activity of oxidative pentose phosphate shunt, metabolic pathway serving primarily antioxidative function in reticulocytes, was also unchanged under the influence of H2O2.