Transitory Diminution of Blood Pyruvate in vitro.

Conclusions

1. The disappearance of pyruvate added to blood in vitro is caused by the blood cells and not the serum. 2. Hemolysis of the cells by saponin or freezing increases the speed and extent of this reaction. 3. The extent and rapidity of the reaction is not altered by Vitamin B₁ deficiency of the cell donor, nor by the addition of cocarboxylase to the cells in vitro. 4. Anaerobiosis has no effect on the reaction. 5. The reported effect of cyanide upon the reaction is due to an artefact. 6. The pyruvate which disappears is neither decarboxylated nor changed to other ketonic acids or lactic acid.