title: Sodium transport and red cell deformability.
abstract: Inhibition of the Na-K pump by a circulating factor is thought to be of importance in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. We tested the correlation between an inhibition of the Na-K pump by digoxin and the deformability of red blood cells (RBC) both in vitro and in vivo. Erythrocytes were incubated with digoxin (0-1.3 mumol/l) for 1 h at 37 degrees C. Highest concentration of digoxin (0.13 and 1.3 mumol/l) significantly diminished Na-K pump activity, measured by uptake of 86rubidium (Rb). There was a parallel decrease in red cell filtrability. In nine healthy volunteers, intake of digoxin (0.2 mg b.i.d.) over a 5-day period did not alter red cell deformability and uptake of 86Rb. Taken together, inhibition of the Na-K pump in vitro correlates with a reduced red cell deformability. However, this occurs at a toxic dosis of digoxin.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wambach
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Overhoff
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hossmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011868:Radioisotopes; D012413:Rubidium; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D011868:Radioisotopes; D004077:Digoxin; D012964:Sodium; D012413:Rubidium; D011188:Potassium