Downregulated Recycling Process but Not De Novo Synthesis of Glutathione Limits Antioxidant Capacity of Erythrocytes in Hypoxia

Figure 6

Schematic illustration of O₂ gradient-mediated de novo synthesis and recycling process of GSH in RBCs. Compared with a normoxic environment, the concentration of deoxy-Hb in RBCs increased in a hypoxic environment, and binds to the cytoplasmic domain of Band 3. This promotes the release of GAPDH from Band 3 and shifts glucose metabolism from HMP to EMP, and in turn leads to the generation of more ATP and less NADPH. Finally, hypoxia limited the antioxidant capacity of RBCs by downregulating the cycle regeneration of GSH.