Influence of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) on the overall metabolism of human blood cells.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a major breakdown product occurring in high concentrations in fructose and glucose solutions. Most of its formation occurs during autoclaving but spontaneous breakdown also takes place. We incubated human blood cells (granulocytes, erythrocytes and thrombocytes) with 5-HMF in the following concentrations 73.5, 735 microM and 7.35 mM. Heat output was increased in erythrocytes at the highest concentration by about 60%. An adverse effect was seen in granulocytes where a statistically significant reduction in heat output, of about 17%, was found (P less than 0.05). No influence upon the metabolic activity of thrombocytes could be detected.