Akita dogs possess GLUT1 in erythrocytes, and Na,K-ATPase activity enables more efficient ascorbic acid recycling.
We investigated hematologic characteristics of healthy Akita dogs. All were found to contain glucose transporters, GLUT1 and GLUT4, in erythrocyte membrane, whereas Beagle and any other Western dogs have only GLUT4. Of 47 Akitas, ten showed high K and low Na concentrations with elevated glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes due to Na,K-ATPase activity in the membrane (HK). Akitas showed increased capacity for recycling vitamin C or ascorbic acid (AA) from oxidized ascorbic acid (DHA) compared to Beagle dogs. Particularly, HK Akitas performed even greater AA recycling and ferricyanide reduction than normal Akitas which have normal GSH, low K and high Na concentrations (LK). All HK Akitas also had stomatin in erythrocyte membrane, while half of LK Akitas had it at lower levels than HK Akitas. Stomatin did not have any influence on AA recycling. GLUT1, Na,K-ATPase and stomatin in erythrocytes are characteristics of Akita dogs, and the high prevalence of these proteins suggests their positive roles in biological efficiency.
Laboratory of Basic Education, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
Eri
E
Ogawa
Sakurako
S
Neo
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D012016:Reference Values; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid