title: The effect of Intralipid infusion on the human leucocyte sodium-pump in vivo.
abstract: 1. The effect of unsaturated long-chain non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) on the human leucocyte sodium-pump was studied in vivo. 2. Plasma NEFA level was raised acutely from 0.28 (SD 0.10) to 2.54 (SD 0.48) mmol/l by infusion of 'Intralipid 20%' (trademark) at 90 ml/h with heparin, and the human leucocyte 22Na efflux rate constants were studied in eight normal weight males. 3. After 3 h, there was a significant lowering of the total (from 3.97 (SD 0.92) to 3.10 (SD 0.71)/h; P less than 0.01) and ouabain-sensitive 22Na efflux rate constants (from 2.89 (SD 0.55) to 2.37 (SD 0.62)/h; P less than 0.02). Ouabain-insensitive efflux rate constants showed a tendency to fall (from 1.08 (SD 0.51) to 0.73 (SD 0.23)/h). Leucocyte potassium content remained unchanged, but sodium content rose from 31 (SD 12) to 38 (SD 18) mmol/kg dry weight (P less than 0.05). Total, ouabain-insensitive and ouabain-sensitive efflux rates did not change significantly during the Intralipid-heparin infusion. 4. Plasma insulin levels rose gradually throughout the 3 h infusion period. 5. In conclusion, NEFA, when raised to pathological levels, can inhibit the leucocyte Na-pump in vivo even in the presence of physiological levels of serum albumin, and may increase insulin secretion.
authors.affiliation: Sheikh Rashid Diabetes Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Hockaday
mesh_terms: D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D012964:Sodium