The effect of experimental anaemia on red cell glutathione reductase

The effect of experimental anaemia on red cell glutathione reductase (GR) was investigated in rabbits, guinea-pigs and cattle. The ratio of active and inactive forms of GR did not change during the experimental period in either the rabbits or the cattle. However, there was a marked rise in the ratio of inactive form in the guinea-pigs during anaemia. It appears that, in addition to the most important regulator of GR activity, namely the flavin content of the red blood cells, there are other mechanisms which are operating in the red blood cells of anaemic animals and that these mechanisms vary among different species of animals.