Abstract
The formation of hemoglobin AIc was studied in intact human erythrocytes in vitro. Satisfactory methods were developed for maintaining erythrocytes under physiologic conditions for greater than 8 d with less than 10% hemolysis. Hemoglobin AIc levels were determined chromatographically on erythrocyte hemolysates after removal of reversible components by incubation for 6 h at 37 degree C. Hemoglobin AIc concentration was found to increase linearly with time during 8 d of incubation. The rate of formation of hemoglobin AIc increased linearly as glucose concentration was increased from 40 to 1,000 mg/dl. Deoxyhemoglobin was glycosylated twice as rapidly as oxyhemoglobin. The rate of hemoglobin AIc formation was further increased by elevated 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels, an effect that was most marked with deoxyhemoglobin. We conclude that the nonenzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin is influenced by factors other than glucose, including oxygen tension and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels.