Pharmacologic stimulation of erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate production in vivo.

The ability of phosphate alone and in combination with sodium bicarbonate, vitamin C and pyruvate to elevate 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) levels was examined in normal human subjects in vivo. Statistically significant increases in DPG levels were noted (P less than .001) for all regimens pooled. Average rise in DPG levels reached 6% above pretreatment levels after 2 to 3 days of treatment. No changes in DPG levels were detectable in a group of control subjects over the same time period. Variation among pharmacologic trials and among subjects within trials in the actual magnitude of DPG build-up was marked. Significant differences could not be detected among the pharmacologic regimens in their ability to produce DPG increases. Previous reports suggested the use of these agents to stimulate red cell glycolysis but it seems that their effects and the mechanisms of glycolytic control in vivo are considerably more complex than has been previously suggested.