Haemoglobin pyridoxalation in phosphate buffer: comparison of results with those obtained with Tris-HCl buffer

Most workers studying haemoglobin solutions re-establish a P50 close to physiological values by covalent fixation of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) using the method first described by Benesch. This is performed with deoxyhaemoglobin in a Tris-HCl buffer, considered to be necessary for transimination. To simplify the chemical procedure of the conjugation of a macromolecule to Hb-PLP we have performed the pyridoxalation in a phosphate buffer. Physico-chemical analysis of pyridoxalated haemoglobin solutions show a slight degradation of the protein, a amount of fixed PLP to the haemoglobin and a right-shift of the dissociation curve similar whether the coupling is performed in the phosphate or the Tris buffer. The pharmacological evaluation by total and isovolumic exchange transfusion in rats, of solutions prepared from both methods of pyridoxalation show identical survival times, vascular persistence and stability of the conjugates. Thus the pyridoxalation takes place with a comparable yield whatever reagent is used, proving that Tris is not essential to haemoglobin pyridoxalation.