Redox metabolism of glutathione in the red blood cell.

A theoretical study of the biochemical and clinical aspects of the reduction-oxidation metabolism of glutathione in the mature red blood cell is presented. A summarizing survey of the literature data has led to the formulation of a mathematical model which comprises the kinetic properties of the enzymes partaking in the hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP) and the oxidation of NADPH and GSH. The model takes the form of a system of differential equations describing the motion of metabolites in one cell. The interactions between metabolites ane enzymes, in particular between glutathione and the SH-dependent enzymes of glucose phosphorylation and HMP have been included into the model...