Y. Ozawa et al., Determination of potassium flux activity of viable human erythrocytes by measuring the release-influx ratio, CLIN CHIM A, 279(1-2), 1999, pp. 125-132
A simple and convenient method to determine the K+-flux activity of viable
human erythrocytes was developed. Erythrocyte suspensions were incubated at
4 degrees C for 24 h to induce K+-release (Delta Kr) and then at 37 degree
s C for 3 h to influx K+ into erythrocytes (Delta Ki). A straight-line rela
tionship between K+ release-influx ratio and ouabain-induced K+-efflux from
erythrocytes indicated that Delta Ki/Delta Kr ratio or the K+-flux activit
y was reflected predominantly by Na+/K+-exchanging ATPase activity. Using t
his method, K+-flux activity of erythrocytes in the young and the aged subj
ects was measured. The mean Delta Ki/Delta Kr ratio of the aged subjects wa
s decreased significantly. This method of measuring Delta Ki/Delta Kr ratio
is useful for the evaluation of K+-flux activity of viable erythrocytes. (
C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.