title: Potassium flux of erythrocytes in chronic hemodialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In chronic hemodialysis patients, hyperkalemia is frequently observed. In these patients, erythrocytes were examined to know whether they participate in the regulation of K(+) or not.
  
  
  METHODS
  Erythrocyte K(+) release (DeltaKr) was induced by the incubation of erythrocyte suspension at 4 degrees C for 24 h and the K(+) influx followed at 37 degrees C for 3 h. K(+) flux of erythrocytes or DeltaKi/DeltaKr ratio, which was reflected by Na(+)/K(+)-exchanging ATPase, was measured in chronic hemodialysis patients. K(+) concentration was measured by ion-selective electrode method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-diabetic hemodialysis patients classified into three groups according to their serum levels were compared for various factors. Among them, the DeltaKi/DeltaKr ratios in medium- and high-serum K(+) groups were significantly lower than those in the low serum K(+) group. The effect of hemodialysis on erythrocyte K(+) flux was examined. After hemodialysis, the mean DeltaKi/DeltaKr ratio increased significantly compared with that before the treatment. Erythrocyte K(+) concentrations converted into a narrower range after hemodialysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduced K(+) flux in erythrocyte may play a part in the development of hyperkalemia in non-diabetic chronic hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Fukushima, Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1247, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozawa
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imafuku
authors.forename: Sadataka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium