[Separation of red blood cells from G6PD-deficient patients in dextran density gradients]

Red blood cells of 30 patients with G6PD deficiency were separated and characterized by means of isopyknic dextran density gradient centrifugation. The simultaneous determination of G6PD activity and the percentage of NADPH deficiency cells in relation to the maturation parameters of density, reticulocyte share, GOT and PK activity made it possible to recognize differences in the maturation of red blood cells with G6PD deficiency in normal persons as well as within a group of patients. In each case the more or less diminished enzyme activity of the cell suspension was accompanied by a marked enzyme deficiency of the youngest fraction. It is possible that NADPH defect cells are being eliminated at first. In many cases a direct correlation between the percentage of "empty cells" and the in vitro stability tests with and without NADP+ addition could be identified. Decreased maximal speed, changed kinetic behaviour, and instability of these variants are stressed as being the decisive parameters for the life expectation of red blood cells in patients with G6PD deficiency.