Viscometric and spectrophotometric measurements of hemoglobin S
polymerization kinetics
GD Wenger and SP Balcerzak
The rates of polymerization and depolymerization of identical concentrated
deoxygenated hemoglobin S (HbS) solutions following a rapid temperature
change were examined by several methods. Two of these methods measured
viscosity changes in either gently agitated (AGT) or nonagitated (NAGT)
samples. The third method utilized a change in turbidity at 735 nm (SDT).
By all three methods, a delay period, during which no observable change was
detected, followed the temperature change. Gelation, as determined in
nonagitated samples by a viscosity- based technique, occurred before or
coincided with gelation as determined spectrophotometrically. The slope of
the concentration dependence of the delay time is significantly decreased
by agitation. Similar monitoring of the depolymerization reaction indicated
the persistence of increased viscosity after observation of a marked
decrease in turbidity.
Volume 63,
Issue 4,
pp. 897-903,
04/01/1984
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Hematology
