Metabolism of the stimulated rat spleen: <i>I. Ferrochelatase activity as an index of tissue erythropoiesis</i>

Abraham Mazur

doi:10.1172/JCI105908

Metabolism of the stimulated rat spleen: I. Ferrochelatase activity as an index of tissue erythropoiesis

Published October 1, 1968 - More info

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Abstract

Assay of the enzyme ferrochelatase in marrow, liver, spleen, and red cells has been employed to assess the extent of erythropoietic stimulation in animals bearing the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma and in rats treated by administration of phenylhydrazine, cobalt chloride, human urinary erythropoietin, or chronic blood loss. In all instances, the spleen sustains the most marked increase of ferrochelatase activity, per gram of tissue. Spleen erythropoietic activity stimulation was confirmed by quantitative measurements in respiring slices of ⁵⁹Fe and ¹⁴C incorporation into hemoglobin and ferritin. Increased spleen ferrochelatase activity in cobalt chloride-treated rats is prevented by actinomycin D, indicating that stimulated synthesis of the enzyme is associated with the metabolism of RNA.