[Determination of superoxide dismutase (sod) in erythrocytes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD-deficiency)]

Determining SOD in red blood cells was made in 26 carriers of G6PD defect 9 haemicygotic mark carriers and 16 heterocytic mark carriers had a diminished SOD enzyme activity. This is probably due to an inactivation of SOD by diminished reductive equivalents in the metabolism of defect cells. In this way, more oxidatively effective radicals will appear, even OH. among them. The latter may render the enzyme ineffective by binding it to the imidazol group in the catabolic centre. Consequently, an accumulation of the substrate O2-. may lead to a further cell damage, thus causing an increased haemolysis.