[Effect of biological agents on glucose-14C utilization by erythrocytes varying in age]

The authors examined young, adult and old erythrocytes from rabbits, aged 15,35 days and 3--4 years. They measured the amount of glucose 14C transfere and metabolized by the erythrocytes during 2-hour incubation at 37 degrees C in a suitable medium. A series of erythrocytes from the three age groups were examined without treatment with chemical agents. Other series of erythrocytes were treated 1 degree minutes before incubation and during its performance with various biological active substances insulin, ACTH, adrenaline, STH, 3AMP, ClCl2. There were differences due to the age in the nontreated erythrocytes. Erythrocytes increased their permeability for grucose and thus its amount was raised in the cells after treatment with insulin. ACTH inhibited this process. Adrenaline, STH, 3AMP and CaCl increased the amount of glucose in the young erythrocytes, obtained from the young animals. The data showed differences in the transfer of glucose 14C and its metabolism in accordance with the chemical and biological properties of the biological agents as well as in accordance with the age of erythrocytes and the animals.