SIALIC-ACID, TRANSKETOLASE AND NA-ARTHRITIS(, K+, ATPASE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID)

We studied transketolase activity of red blood cell hemolysates, and N a+, K+, ATPase activity and sialic acid concentration in red blood cel l membranes from 52 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 24 control subjects. Decreased red blood cell membrane Na+, K+, ATPase activity a nd sialic acid concentration and decreased transketolase in red blood cell hemolysates were observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients compar ed with control subjects (p<0.001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were increased in rheumatoid arthritis pati ents compared with control subjects (p<0.0001). Significant correlatio ns between sialic acid and Na+, K+, ATPase (r=0.65, p<0.001) and betwe en sialic acid and transketolase (r=0.58, p<0.001) were observed. Eryt hrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels did not corre late with Na+, K+, ATPase activity or with sialic acid or transketolas e in rheumatoid arthritis patients. These data show that decreases in Na+, K+, ATPase, and transketolase activities and sialic acid concentr ation are present in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and that the decre ase in Na+, K+, ATPase and transketolase activities in rheumatoid arth ritis might be due to decreased sialic acid.