In this work, we report that NADH can increase the autoxidation rate of hemoglobin (HbA) in a pH-dependent fashion. During this process, this cofactor is itself oxidized. The presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and/or catalase (CAT) can inhibit this result. At lower pH rates, the effect of NADH on the hemoglobin autoxidation rate is more enhanced; in addition, the rate of NADH oxidation is increased. Our data indicates that the reduced pyridine nucleotide may influence the redox state of human hemoglobin by a mechanism, which probably involves free radical species.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.