Abstract
WHEN intact red cells are treated with weak solutions of sodium nitrite in isotonic saline, or hæmolysed red cell suspensions are treated with weak solutions of potassium ferricyanide, the red colour changes to brown as the oxyhæmoglobin is oxidized to methæmoglobin. Infants have long been known to be particularly sensitive to this change1–3 ; but it has only recently been shown3,4 that this increased sensitivity is also present in children of both sexes up to the age of puberty.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Betke, K., Naturwiss., 39, 481 (1952).
Kunzer, W., Ambs, E., and Schneider, D., Klin. Wschr., 31, 617 (1953).
Metcalf, W. K., M.D. thesis, University of Bristol (1960).
Keohane, K. W., and Metcalf, W. K., Phys. in Med. and Biol., 5, 27 (1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
METCALF, W. Sensitivity of Hæmoglobin to Oxidation in Various Conditions. Nature 190, 543 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/190543a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/190543a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.