[Fatty-acid initiated auto-oxidation of hemoglobin]

The interaction of fatty acids (FA) with oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) was investigated. It was found that under effect of FA HbO2 is converted into the oxidized low-spin form, i. e., hemichrome. An increase in the level of reactive oxygen species was registered by the ESP method, using the spin traps, 1.2-dioxybenzo-3.5-disulphonate (tiron) and 5.5-dimethylpyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO). To investigate the nature of radical particles, the OH radical traps. thiourea and D-mannitol, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were employed. The mechanism of interaction of HbO2 and FA is discussed; its feasible physiological role in the functioning of erythrocytes is postulated.