2,3-Diphosphoglycerate metabolism

In mature erythrocytes, 2,3-DPG is a metabolic intermediate in the Rapoport-Luebering pathway, a side shuttle to the anaerobic glycolytic pathway, also known as the Embden-Meyerhof pathway (Figure 1). It is synthesised from the isomerisation of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, as a phosphoryl group is transferred from C1 to C2 and catalysed by bisphosphoglycerate mutase. 2,3-DPG could be hydrolysed by phosphoglycerate phosphatase to 3-phosphoglycerate, releasing a Pi^{(Reference Rapoport and Luebering47)}. Around 20 % of the glycolytic pathway is fluxed via the Rapoport-Luebering shuttle, thus bypassing the direct conversion of 1,3-PBG to 3-phosphoglycerate, which would, under normal conditions, yield ATP, as mediated by phosphoglycerate kinase^{(Reference Rapoport and Luebering47,Reference Duhm, Deuticke and Gerlach48)} .

Figure 1.

Outline of the glycolytic pathway showing the Rapoport Luebering Cycle. Created with BioRender.com.

Under normal physiological conditions, the production of 2,3-DPG is regulated by various mechanisms, including feedback inhibition, substrate availability and pH. Firstly, 2,3-DPG itself can inhibit the activity of 2,3-DPG mutase through a negative feedback mechanism^{(Reference Rose49)}. Secondly, the level of 2,3-DPG can be affected by the availability of substrates such as phosphorus. Specifically, a decrease in 2,3-DPG levels is observed in cases of hypophosphatemia^{(Reference Sharma, Brugnara and Betensky9)}, while an increase in 2,3-DPG levels is observed in cases of hyperphosphatemia^{(Reference Card, Brain and Lott8,Reference Bremner, Bubb and Kemp14)} . Thirdly, pH is another factor affecting 2,3-DPG levels. In alkalotic conditions, the rate of glycolysis is increased, and the activity of 2,3-DPG phosphatase is diminished, leading to an increase in 2,3-DPG. In contrast, the levels of 2,3-DPG decrease during acidosis^{(Reference Lichtman, Miller and Cohen11,Reference Bellingham, Detter and Lenfant50)} . Finally, blockage in the glycolytic pathway can either increase or decrease 2,3-DPG levels depending on the location of the blockage and whether it is before or after the Rapoport-Luebering pathway. For instance, a deficiency in hexokinase blocks the glycolytic pathway proximal to 2,3-DPG production and subsequently reduces the level of 2,3-DPG. Inversely, a deficiency in pyruvate kinase blocks glycolysis below the shuttle, causing 2,3-DPG accumulation^{(Reference Oski, Marshall and Cohen51)}. While thiamin deficiency, which is known to inhibit the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase, was reported to reduce 2,3-DPG levels^{(Reference Hobara and Yasuhara33)}. However, the ability of pyruvate to increase 2,3-DPG production is thought to be related to its capacity to increase NAD availability^{(Reference Oski, Travis and Miller20)}.

Furthermore, numerous studies have shed light on the complex interactions among other physiological variables and the levels of 2,3-DPG. Nakashima et al. reported that the negative correlation between oxygen affinity of various mammalian Hb and body weight disappeared when 2,3-DPG was absent. This contrasts with the findings of Schmidt-Nielsen and Larimer^{(Reference Schmidt-Neilsen and Larimer52)}, who identified a negative correlation between these two factors in the presence of 2,3-DPG. This negative correlation was attributed to species-specific adaptations to optimal physiological conditions^{(Reference Nakashima, Noda and Hasegaea53)}. Additionally, a variation in 2,3-DPG levels between genders has been observed, with women displaying higher resting levels than men with comparable fitness levels. This difference may result from a compensatory mechanism in response to lower Hb levels in women^{(Reference Fukuda, Smith and Kendall54)}. Moreover, several hormones were also found to affect 2,3-DPG red cell concentration or oxygen affinity, including cortisol and aldosterone, androgen, growth hormone, thyroid hormone and erythropoietin. In 1968, Bauer and Rathschlag-Schaefer reported that the oxygen half-saturation pressure, a measure of oxygen affinity, was higher in aldosterone-treated and cortisol-treated groups compared with the control group^{(Reference Bauer and Rathschlag-Schaefer55)}. Similarly, previous studies have shown a decreased oxygen affinity and a rise in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels with the administration of androgen^{(Reference Gorshein, Gardner and Tyree56)}. Meanwhile, other studies demonstrated a synergistic effect of human growth hormone and thyroxine on the increase in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG concentration^{(Reference Rodriguez and Shahidi57)}. Versmold et al. demonstrated a significant correlation between thyroid hormone and red cell 2,3-DPG levels in infants, suggesting a role for thyroxine in 2,3-DPG synthesis, although the underlying mechanism remains unproven^{(Reference Versmold, Horn and Windthorst58)}. Finally, erythropoietin has also been shown to increase 2,3-DPG levels in erythrocytess^{(Reference Horina, Schwaberge and Brussee59,Reference Birgegård and Sandhagen60)} .

Other allosteric effectors of Hb

In addition to 2,3-DPG, several endogenous and synthetic modulators have been shown to influence Hb oxygen affinity. Among these, sphingosine-1-phosphate has been reported to bind directly to Hb; however, its ability to reduce oxygen affinity appears to depend on the simultaneous presence of 2,3-DPG. This co-binding likely exerts a synergistic effect that stabilises the deoxygenated form of Hb, thereby promoting its low-affinity ‘tense’ state (T-state) conformation^{(Reference Sun, D’Alessandro and Ahmed61)}. Indeed, Sun et al. reported that twenty-one healthy lowland participants ascending to 5260 meters had markedly elevated sphingosine-1-phosphate concentrations on the first day and continued to rise over the following 16 d. This upregulation was associated with the increased activity of sphingosine kinase 1, elevated Hb levels and enhanced oxygen-releasing capacity. Mechanistically, sphingosine-1-phosphate facilitates the binding of deoxygenated Hb to the erythrocyte membrane, promotes the translocation of glycolytic enzymes from the membrane to the cytosol, enhances glycolytic throughput and consequently increases intracellular 2,3-DPG, thereby promoting oxygen release^{(Reference Sun, Zhang and D’Alessandro62)}.

Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, the active coenzyme form of vitamin B₆, also functions as an allosteric modulator of Hb. It has been reported to reduce oxygen affinity and potentially compensate for diminished 2,3-DPG under certain metabolic conditions. However, when present in excess amounts within erythrocytes, pyridoxal 5’-phosphate appears to impair the synthesis of 2,3-DPG, likely due to the resulting decrease in intracellular pH and its binding with various intracellular enzymes^{(Reference Maeda, Takahashi and Aono63)}. Indeed, pyridoxal 5’-phosphate has been shown to inhibit key enzymes involved in both the glycolytic pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway, disrupting the metabolic pathways necessary for 2,3-DPG production^{(Reference Srivastava and Beutler64)}. Despite the potential physiological significance of these findings, there is a notable lack of recent studies exploring pyridoxal 5’-phosphate regulatory role in erythrocyte metabolism and its impact on 2,3-DPG synthesis.

Likewise, ATP has been recognised for its allosteric impact on Hb as demonstrated by Peng et al. Within physiological concentrations, ATP stabilises the reduced (Fe²⁺) form of Hb, promoting the deoxygenated (T) state conformation. However, at higher concentrations (4–7 mM), non-specific interactions may occur, leading to shifts in the oxidation potential. Unlike 2,3-DPG, which binds within the central cavity between the β-subunits, ATP interacts at different sites, resulting in a comparatively weaker allosteric effect on Hb^{(Reference Peng, Liu and Zhang65)}. Recent work by Parashar et al. proposes that Hb may catalyse ATP synthesis in erythrocytes under the murburn model. According to this model, when O₂ levels are elevated and reducing equivalents such as reduced NADH are abundantly present, ample ATP is formed. The ATP binds to the heme pocket of Hb and prevents the premature oxygen dissociation and enhances oxygen retention during transport^{(Reference Parashar, Jacob and Gideon66)}. Interestingly, in a crossover study simulating 3500 m altitude hypoxia, Woyke et al. assessed the oxygen dissociation curve, erythrocyte 2,3-DPG and ATP concentrations. They observed a significant increase in 2,3-DPG that elevated P₅₀ and offset respiratory alkalosis, thereby maintaining effective oxygen delivery to tissues. In contrast, ATP concentrations remained largely unchanged and thus did not significantly influence Hb oxygen affinity during short-term hypoxic exposure^{(Reference Woyke, Oberacher and Plunser67)}.

The role of 2,3-DPG in O₂ unloading has led to the development of synthetic allosteric effectors aimed at modulating Hb oxygen affinity in clinical contexts, especially for the treatment of ischaemia-related diseases such as sickle cell disease^{(Reference Ahmed, Ghatge, Safo, Hoeger and Harris68)}. Compounds such as inositol hexaphosphate, bezafibrate and efaproxiral have been shown to reduce Hb’s oxygen affinity by shifting the allosteric equilibrium towards the T-state, thereby enhancing oxygen delivery^{(Reference Ahmed, Ghatge, Safo, Hoeger and Harris68–Reference Steffen, Liard, Gerber, Bruley and Harrison70)}. In contrast, various natural and synthetic compounds have been reported to shift Hb’s allosteric equilibrium towards a high-affinity state and have also been investigated as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Aromatic aldehydes, including vanillin and 5-hydoxymethyl-2-furfural, have been shown to increase oxygen affinity by interacting with Hb^{(Reference Ahmed, Ghatge, Safo, Hoeger and Harris68)}. Specifically, they shift the Hb equilibrium toward the ‘relaxed’ state (R-state) leading to a leftward shift in the oxygen dissociation curve^{(Reference Safo, Abdulmalik and Danso-Danquah71,Reference Safo and Kato72)} . However, vanillin requires relatively high concentrations to exert significant effects on Hb oxygen affinity and is limited by poor bioavailability. In contrast, 5-hydoxymethyl-2-furfural has shown greater potency, prompting the development of more effective derivatives^{(Reference Ahmed, Ghatge, Safo, Hoeger and Harris68)}.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate assessment

The stability of a compound in its physiological milieu dictates its accurate measurement. The concentration of 2,3-DPG was reported to be influenced by various factors, including storage lesion, which refers to the storage-induced alterations or damage in the erythrocytes. In fact, delayed refrigeration of blood after collection leads to lactate accumulation, resulting in a drop in blood pH. This decrease in pH activates bisphosphoglycerate phosphatase, causing a rapid depletion of 2,3-DPG levels^{(Reference Högman, Löf and Meryman73)}. Therefore, addressing this concern is of importance in blood transfusion since transient depletion of 2,3-DPG will increase the affinity of oxygen to Hb and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, consequently impacting posttransfusion recovery. This is clinically significant, particularly in severely ill patients who have undergone massive transfusions and infants under four months old, as they have a reduced ability to replenish their 2,3-DPG levels and compensate for hypoxemia and its effects^{(Reference Högman, Löf and Meryman73,Reference Weisberg, Vossoughi and Barbeau74)} . In response, various procedures were implemented to improve the preservation of 2,3-DPG in blood samples. These included adding additives, such as guanosine, inosine, phosphate, pyruvate, sodium chloride, etc., to modify the pH or affect the metabolism of erythrocytes^{(Reference Högman, Löf and Meryman73)}. In brief, 2,3-DPG’s degradation rate depends on the preservation solution in which the erythrocytes are stored as well as the handling procedures prior to storage at +4℃. Thus, immediate cooling of whole blood after collection can significantly prevent the rapid fall in 2,3-DPG levels^{(Reference Llohn, Vetlesen and Fagerhol75)}.

On the other hand, several methods for the assessment of the erythrocyte concentration of 2,3-DPG have been described in the literature and are divided into two main categories: chromatographic and enzymatic. Barlett et al., in 1959, first described the chromatographic technique in which an ion exchange column isolates phosphate compounds, and then 2,3-DPG is hydrolysed into glyceric acid and phosphorous to be quantified. This method was later modified by other researchers to also isolate and remove nucleotides, which were reported to be the second most important phosphorous-containing compounds^{(Reference Bartlett76–Reference Bartlett79)}. On the other hand, the enzymatic methods were based on the catalytic effect of 2,3-DPG on phosphoglycerate mutase and that phosphoglycerate mutase exhibits 2,3-DPG phosphatase activity^{(Reference Juel and Milam80)}. A study comparing five methods for the determination of 2,3-DPG in blood, which included a colorimetric method, two enzymatic endpoint methods and two enzymatic rate-dependent methods, concluded that there were no statistically significant differences between them^{(Reference Teunissen, De Leeuw and Boink81)}. Commercial kits for the quantification of 2,3-DPG based on the enzymatic method from reputable companies have been discontinued. Although other commercial ELISA kits are still available, their accuracy is questioned, as numerous customer reviews indicate that sample analysis often yields unexpectedly low 2,3-DPG values when higher levels are anticipated.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate functions

2,3-DPG has the capacity to exert a potent effect on the sigmoid-shaped oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. This curve is achieved by plotting the percent saturation of Hb against the oxygen tension, pO₂, demonstrating the affinity of Hb for oxygen. The position of the curve in relation to the partial pressure or oxygen tension influences oxygen delivery to the tissues. P50, which is the oxygen tension at which 50 % of the Hb is saturated under fixed conditions, plays an important role as a reference point when assessing the effect of various factors on the curve^{(Reference Juel and Milam80)}. As the 2,3-DPG level in the erythrocyte increases, the oxygen dissociation curve shifts to the right, thus decreasing the oxygen affinity of Hb. As its concentration decreases, the oxygen dissociation curve shifts to the left, and consequently, the affinity of Hb for oxygen increases, thus binding tightly to the oxygen molecule. However, it is important to note that several other factors may influence the oxygen dissociation curve, including pH, temperature, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, fetal Hb, etc. (Figure 2)^{(Reference Bhagavan, Ha, Bhagavan and Ha83)}.

Figure 2.

Factors affecting the oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve. Modified from Darlow et al. ^{(Reference Darlow and Morley82)}. Created with BioRender.com.

Using X-ray crystallography, Arthur Arnone reported that 2,3-DPG has two effects on human deoxyhemoglobin: it stabilises the Hb structure in the deoxyhemoglobin form and shortens the distance between the two β-subunits^{(Reference Arnone84)}. However, several studies reported that 2,3-DPG did not exert the same effect on an oxyhemoglobin molecule, as it is postulated that the site of binding in the deoxy-form is absent in the oxy-form (Figure 3)^{(Reference Arnone84,Reference Perutz86)} . Deoxygenated Hb is found in the T-state, and the binding of one oxygen molecule to it would result in a transition to the R-state, which enhances the binding of oxygen to the other subunits of the deoxygenated Hb. 2,3-DPG, being negatively charged, fits between the β-subunits, inhibiting their movement and stabilising the deoxy form. The oxygenated form lacks this binding site, as the β-subunits are close together, making the cleft between them too small for 2,3-DPG to enter^{(Reference Bhagavan, Ha, Bhagavan and Ha83)}. Another mechanism by which 2,3-DPG reduces the oxygen affinity of Hb within erythrocytes could involve changes in the hydrogen concentration, leading to decreased intracellular pH levels^{(Reference Duhm15)}. In brief, 2,3-DPG function is related to its capacity to stabilise deoxyhemoglobin T-state and lower intracellular pH.

Figure 3.

The binding of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to deoxyhemoglobin. Modified from Mathews et. al.^{(Reference Mathews, van Holde and Appling85)}. Created with BioRender.com.

2,3-diphosphoglycerate, hypoxia and altitude

Hypoxia, characterised by low tissue O₂ levels, can result from a variety of pathological and physiological conditions. Pathologically, it is commonly associated with diseases that lead to low blood supply or reduced O₂ content in the blood, such as cardiovascular^{(Reference Abe, Semba and Takeda87,Reference Woodson, Torrance and Shappell88)} , respiratory^{(Reference Kent, Mitchell and McNicholas89,Reference Cajanding90)} and haemolytic diseases^{(Reference Machogu and Machado91,Reference Noronha92)} . In contrast, physiological hypoxia may manifest in healthy individuals residing at high altitudes^{(Reference Lenfant, Torrance and English93,Reference Eaton, Brewer and Grover94)} . The state of hypoxia, regardless of its pathological or physiological origin, elicits rapid adaptive responses from the body to cope with its reduced oxygen availability. One such response involves the reduction of Hb-O₂ affinity by modifying the levels of 2,3-DPG. It has been shown that 2,3-DPG concentrations increase in patients with cognitive heart failure, myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease to compensate for the reduced oxygen supply^{(Reference Woodson, Torrance and Shappell88,Reference Rosenthal, Mentzer and Eisenstein95–Reference Kanter, Bessman and Bessman97)} .

In healthy individuals, the concentration of 2,3-DPG increases as a natural response to altitude. At sea level, the concentration of 2,3-DPG is around 90 ± 11 µg phosphorus/ml of blood. Upon moving to high altitude, this concentration rises to about 142 ± 8 µg phosphorus/ml of blood within 24 h. When returning to sea level, the concentration reverts back to baseline and reaches around 87 ± 13 µg/ml. This highlights the physiological role of 2,3-DPG in the body’s adaptive mechanisms^{(Reference Lenfant, Torrance and English93)}. Moreover, altitude training in athletes has been reported to increase erythropoietin production, which is known to increase 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Horina, Schwaberge and Brussee59,Reference Birgegård and Sandhagen60)} . The extent of the rise in 2,3-DPG levels was shown to depend on both the level of altitude and the duration of exposure, with erythropoietin levels peaking at 24 h after exposure to high altitude^{(Reference Ploszczyca, Langfort and Czuba98)}.

Several explanations were proposed for the mechanisms behind the increase in 2,3-DPG in response to hypoxia (Figure 4). In hypoxic conditions, the increase in deoxyhemoglobin leads to more 2,3-DPG binding, thereby reducing the levels of free 2,3-DPG. This decrease in free 2,3-DPG levels reactivates 2,3-DPG mutase through a feedback mechanism, ultimately increasing 2,3-DPG synthesis^{(Reference Duhm and Gerlach99)}. Additionally, hypoxia induces hyperventilation, resulting in respiratory alkalosis and an elevated blood pH^{(Reference Foster, Vaziri and Sassoon100)}. This increase in pH stimulates glycolysis, contributing to an increase in the concentration of 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Duhm and Gerlach99)}. Furthermore, in cases where tissue oxygen demand surpasses its supply, cells must rely on anaerobic metabolism to produce sufficient ATP for their energy requirements^{(Reference Kierans and Taylor101)}. This shift in metabolism results in an increase in the rate of glycolysis, which may lead to an elevation in the levels of 2,3-DPG. Moreover, Liu et al. conducted studies on humans at high altitude and on mice to investigate the mechanism of hypoxia adaptation. Their findings showed that the increased plasma adenosine, that occurs under hypoxic conditions, activates erythrocytes’ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In turn, AMPK activates DPG mutase, increasing 2,3-DPG production and improving O₂ release^{(Reference Liu, Zhang and Wu102)}.

Figure 4.

Summary of the mechanisms that lead to an increase in 2,3-DPG production under hypoxic conditions. Created with BioRender.com.

2,3-DPG and physiological conditions

The process of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues involves a series of events. It all begins with ventilation, which is the inflow and outflow of air into the alveoli. Following this, O₂ diffuses from the lungs into the RBCs and binds to Hb. When oxygenated RBCs travel through the bloodstream, the O₂ diffuses from Hb into the mitochondria within the cells^{(Reference Wagner103)}. The transport of O₂ via Hb is a crucial step in this process, which can be enhanced by either increasing Hb concentration per unit volume of blood or by altering Hb’s affinity to O₂. Hb concentration rises slowly, and the increase usually occurs in response to long-term adaptation to hypoxia or training^{(Reference Ploszczyca, Langfort and Czuba98,Reference Schmidt and Prommer104)} . In contrast, the control of Hb-O₂ affinity occurs quickly as RBCs pass through the capillaries and encounter changes in temperature, pH and/or CO₂ ^{(Reference Mairbäurl105)}. Hence, in conditions that demand prompt physiological responses from the body, the affinity of O₂ to Hb is altered. This can be chiefly achieved through the use of endogenous allosteric modulators that affect Hb-O₂ affinity, particularly 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Duhm and Gerlach99)}. However, it is reasonable to postulate that under conditions of high energy demand (increased oxygen requirement) (e.g., growth, pregnancy, physical activity), an adaptive mechanism would be required to accommodate the extra need for oxygen.

Infancy and childhood

Total energy expenditure expressed per Kg body weight is known to be highest in early life (∼80 kcal/kg) and decreases with age (∼ 40 kcal/kg in adults)^{(Reference Juel and Milam80,Reference Teunissen, De Leeuw and Boink81)} . In contrast, blood Hb increases with age, with Hb concentration exhibiting its lowest values in early life^{(Reference Buchanan, Muro and Gratz106–Reference Dungy, Morgan and Heotis109)}. This inverse relation between energy expenditure (kcal/kg body weight) and Hb necessitates the existence of a mechanism to cater to the need for oxygen by tissues (Figure 5). On the other hand, the pattern of changes in 2,3-DPG with age seems to mimic that of energy expenditure and thus may be implicated in the process of oxygen delivery. In fact, the level of 2,3-DPG was reported to be highest in infancy and decreases with age^{(Reference Purcell and Brozović113,Reference Kalofoutis, Paterakis and Koutselinis114)} . Therefore, it is reasonable to propose that this relationship exists to facilitate oxygen supply and conquer the low levels of Hb observed during infancy and childhood. In support, children are known to have higher serum and red cell organic phosphates as compared to adults, resulting in age-specific physiological hyperphosphatemia. This, in turn, is proposed to increase 2,3-DPG concentration and reduce oxygen affinity, which may explain the physiological anaemia observed in childhood^{(Reference Card, Brain and Lott8)}. Unfortunately, the existing data on variations in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels across different age groups in the general population is limited by a broad 10-year age range, which may obscure more precise age-related changes. Though, 2,3-DPG level of a small number of newborns (n 12) was reported to increase during the first two weeks of life, and this was paralleled by the changes in thyroxine^{(Reference Versmold, Horn and Windthorst58)}. Additionally, a transition from fetal H to adult Hb occurs during infancy^{(Reference Davis115)}. This transition can potentially impact the levels of 2,3-DPG, as these two forms of Hb have different affinities to oxygen^{(Reference Bunn and Briehl116,Reference Versmold, Seifert and Riegel117)} . In summary, it is recommended that future research use narrower age intervals to gain a more precise understanding of 2,3-DPG level variations across different age groups.

Figure 5.

Energy Requirements (2004 FAO/WHO/UNU)⁽¹¹⁰⁾ and median Hb levels by age and sex. Modified from Butte, N. F.^{(Reference Butte111)} and Yip et al. ^{(Reference Yip, Johnson and Dallman112)}.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate and various pathological conditions

The body’s functions are regulated by an interrelated networking of biochemical processes. While 2,3-DPG plays a crucial role in physiological activities through the control of oxygen affinity, it has been found to be implicated in several diseases and disorders. A significant association between this molecule and various diseases can be attributed to its involvement in hypoxic conditions. Therefore, in most cases, the variation of 2,3-DPG levels is often a consequence rather than a cause.

Anaemia, especially iron deficiency anaemia, is also considered a substantial contributor to hypoxia. Iron deficiency anaemia is characterised by a drop in the blood levels of Hb, resulting in a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (hypoxia)^{(Reference Elstrott, Khan and Olson129)}. Consequently, an elevation in 2,3-DPG levels is expected during anaemic states, reflecting an analogous physiological response to that observed in other hypoxic conditions. Studies conducted on iron deficiency anaemia in both adults and children have provided supporting evidence for the inverse association between 2,3-DPG and Hb levels^{(Reference Eaton and Brewer130–Reference Slawsky and Desforges132)}. However, this association may not be absolute, as other factors such as the pulmonary status, tissue oxygen demands, intracellular environment and potentially even the age of cells could also exert influence on the levels of 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Slawsky and Desforges132)}. Interestingly, the degree to which the concentration of 2,3-DPG increases can differ among various types of anaemia, even when the Hb concentration is the same^{(Reference Thomas, Lefrak and Irwin133)}. A smaller increase in 2,3-DPG was observed in aplastic anaemia as compared with other forms of anaemia^{(Reference Opalinski and Beutler134)}. Furthermore, it has been suggested that erythrocyte mass may serve as a more sensitive indicator for predicting 2,3-DPG concentration compared with Hb. This is attributed to the correlation between 2,3-DPG levels and the deficiency in erythrocyte volume^{(Reference Valeri and Fortier135)}. Therefore, the significance of 2,3-DPG in anaemia has been widely discussed, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear and needs further elucidation.

An increase in 2,3-DPG has been reported in subjects with pulmonary insufficiency and congestive heart failure, conditions in which hypoxia predominates; hence, the need to lower oxygen affinity. In chronic pulmonary diseases, 2,3-DPG is stimulated by reduced oxygen saturation; however, in acute cases, the alteration of the pH drives the increase or decrease of 2,3-DPG. Alkalosis stimulates the glycolytic pathway and thus elevates 2,3-DPG, while acidosis inhibits the pathway and results in a decreased concentration^{(Reference Keitt, Hinkes and Block136)}.

The involvement of 2,3-DPG is not limited to blood, lung and heart diseases. Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease exhibit an increase in 2,3-DPG concentration, even after adjusting for Hb levels. This may have been attributed to respiratory difficulties related to postural abnormalities and rigidity, leading to hypoventilation and hypoxia. 2,3-DPG is also thought to be involved in the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, where an imbalance is noted in Parkinson’s disease^{(Reference Alevizos and Stefanis137)}. Another study has postulated that the increase in 2,3-DPG is a metabolic compensatory mechanism to the high-affinity Hb and the inefficiency of releasing oxygen in patients with Parkinson’s disease^{(Reference Graham, Hobson and Ponnampalam138)}.

On the other hand, both increased oxidative stress, as indicated by the reduction of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, and decreased 2,3-DPG concentrations were hypothesised to play a role in the pathophysiology of dementia-related conditions and contribute to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease^{(Reference Kosenko, Aliev and Kaminsky139)}. However, the similarity in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels in patients with Alzheimer’s disease with or without dementia argues against this hypothesis and implies that oxygen-regulatory pathways do not participate in brain hypoxia^{(Reference Järemo, Jejcic and Jelic140)}.

Aside from hypoxia, 2,3-DPG was proposed to have an anti-platelet aggregation function. Subjects with hypochromic anaemia are known to have decreased levels of platelet aggregation, while those with polycythemia have a common incidence of thrombosis. Like in iron deficiency anaemia, subjects with hypochromic anaemia have higher levels of 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Pollock and Cotter141)}, while the latter decreases in polycythemia^{(Reference Bhagavan and Bhagavan142)}. The difference in platelet aggregation between hypochromic and polycythemia was attributed to 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Iatridis, Iatridis and Markidou143)}.

Moreover, the observed drop in 2,3-DPG among patients with kidney failure may be due to metabolic acidosis^{(Reference Mitchell and Pegrum144)}, a common condition in chronic kidney diseases^{(Reference Kim145)}. However, a noticeable elevation of erythrocyte concentrations of 2,3-DPG was reported among non-acidotic anemic patients who underwent haemodialysis, another coping mechanism to counter anaemia of renal disease and a rise of around 50 % was seen in cases of end-stage renal disease^{(Reference Blumberg and Marti146)}.

The fact that 2,3-DPG is a bioproduct in the glycolytic pathway may implicate it in glucose metabolism and diabetes. In a clinical study, compared with healthy participants, diabetic subjects had a significant increase in 2,3-DPG irrespective of the type and severity of the disease^{(Reference Bodnar and Pristupiuk147)}. This increase was believed to reverse the shift to the left of the oxygen dissociation curve caused by the glycation of Hb^{(Reference Alder, Yu and Su148)} and may also be also related to hypoxia of diabetes^{(Reference Catrina and Zheng149)}. Nonetheless, these findings have not been supported by others^{(Reference Kalofoutis, Jullien and Koutselinis150,Reference Kalofoutis and Paterakis151)} , and some associations have been made between the increase of 2,3-DPG only in cases of diabetes with vascular complications^{(Reference Kanter, Bessman and Bessman97)}. Interestingly, the treatment of diabetes seemed to affect neuropathy when 2,3-DPG levels are low. Insulin-treated streptozotocin rats had higher degeneration levels of their nerves when 2,3-DPG concentrations were lower, while untreated rats showed no damage^{(Reference Farber, Farber and Brewer152)}. In addition, diabetic ketoacidosis is a known complication of diabetes, especially type 1. It is characterised by a sharp increase in hydrogen ions that affect blood pH^{(Reference Standl and Ditzel153)}, which hinders erythrocyte glycolysis, mainly through the inhibition of phosphofructokinase, which decreases 2,3-DPG. Moreover, in a study using a nonobese prediabetic rat model, the increased phosphorus content in the diet, which is known to increase 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Nakao, Yamamoto and Nakahashi21)}, was associated with a reduction in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the perivascular adipose tissue^{(Reference Dwaib, Ajouz and Alzaim154)}. Although 2,3-DPG was not measured in the previous study, Guoji et al. have demonstrated a suppressive effect of the bisphosphoglycerate mutase/2,3-DPG pathway on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in hypoxic astrocytes^{(Reference Guoji, Sun and Liu155)}. Hence, it is postulated that 2,3-DGP mitigates perivascular adipose inflammation and its cardiovascular consequences in early metabolic impairment.

Obesity is a condition associated with numerous metabolic disturbances, among which is the increase in 2,3-DPG^{(Reference Kalofoutis, Jullien and Koutselinis150)}. This may be attributed to the respiratory distress people with obesity suffer from^{(Reference Monti156)}. On the other hand, low 2,3-DPG levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. Decreased 2,3-DPG causes a decrease in oxygen availability, which can lead to diminished physical activity capacity and, consequently, lower energy expenditure^{(Reference Obeid157)}.

In summary, the metabolism of 2,3-DPG, a by-product of glycolysis, is influenced by several factors, including diet, physiological and pathological conditions (Table 1). The influence of the diet composition on 2,3-DPG levels is far from clear, and information on its postprandial metabolism is lacking. In fact, the diet seems to acutely impact the levels of 2,3-DPG, unlike that of altitude, which requires about 36 h. Discrepancies between studies seem to relate to the time and method of measurement. Therefore, increased 2,3-DPG levels may partially mitigate conditions of low oxygen availability, including anaemia and hypoxic conditions. However, the precise implications of this interaction during infancy and childhood remain unclear. Additionally, data do support a role for 2,3-DPG in platelet aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases, and further studies are needed to better understand these effects.

Table 1.

Physiological and pathological factors influencing 2,3-DPG, Hb and HIF-1α

HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α; 2,3-DPG, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate.