[The role of intracellular electrolytes in the maintenance of erythrocyte deformability].
Regulation of intracellular cation concentration is critical for the maintenance of erythrocyte deformability. The cellular cation concentrations are the result of an equilibrium between passive diffusion and active transport (pump). In stomatocytosis, the pump hyperactivity is unable to counterbalance the leakage of sodium, leading to an increased cellular sodium and water content. The overhydrated stomatocytes become less deformable. In xerocytosis, the primary defect is an increased leakage of potassium from the erythrocytes. Pump activity is unable to fully compensate, and the net intracellular cation concentration and water are decreased, leading to dehydration. Increased intracellular calcium results in potassium loss, dehydration and cross-linking of skeletal proteins. These mechanisms are attractive for explaining erythrocyte senescence, though not entirely proven.
School of Allied Health Sciences, Yamaguchi University.
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Matsumoto
D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood*; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans
D004573:Electrolytes