title: Sepsis correlated with increased erythrocyte Na+ content and Na+ - K+ pump activity.
abstract: The aims of the present study were twofold: (1) simultaneous determinations of Na(+) transport parameters of erythrocytes from 40 healthy donors and 28 septic patients as assessed by a score of severity of sepsis (SSS), and (2) examination of the correlation between the SSS and specific Na(+) transport abnormalities. Erythrocytes were obtained and loaded with different ionic compositions and cellular Na(+) contents before determination of the near-maximal Na(+) pump rate (Vmax), the physiological extrusion rate of Na(+) (v) and the number of ouabain-binding sites (Bmax). In erythrocytes from septic patients, the cellular Na(+) content was 28% higher (p < 0.001), with no differences in water content compared to erythrocytes from healthy donors. This elevated Na(+) content was accompanied by significantly higher values for Vmax (43%), v (24%) and Bmax (48%) of the Na(+) pump in septic erythrocytes. Moreover, significant positive correlations existed between Vmax and SSS (p = 0.028) and between cellular Na(+) content and SSS (p = 0.005). These data suggest that during sepsis, membrane alterations occur and result in an increased cellular Na(+) content. Active Na(+) transport (Vmax and v) was significantly stimulated, possibly as a consequence of a secondary response to the elevated Na(+) of cells. Both cellular Na(+) and Vmax correlated well with the severity of sepsis, suggesting that these altered transport parameters may reflect the progress of sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chien-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Tsann-Long
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Han-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Miin-Fu
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yin-Fen
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ying-Tung
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001665:Binding Sites; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010042:Ouabain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium