title: High erythrocyte membrane (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in kwashiorkor, in vivo reversal by diuretic.
abstract: Specific activity (mumol Pi released/h/mg membrane protein) of ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase has been shown to be higher in erythrocytes from children suffering from kwashiorkor, compared to that in normal children. Twenty four hours after treatment of these children with a diuretic, there was reduction in their body weights due to loss of oedema fluid. Ouabain sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of the erythrocyte membrane was inhibited by about 40% and this was associated with gain of 1.8 mequivalents Na+ per litre of erythrocytes. The results suggest that high ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase could be one of the mechanisms operative in erythrocytes to prevent accumulation of Na+ in kwashiorkor.
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000097:blood*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007732:Kwashiorkor / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D012709:Serum Albumin; D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D011188:Potassium