The effects of transport inhibitors on sodium outflux and influx in red blood cells: evidence for exchange diffusion. 1970

M J Dunn

Active sodium transport (outflux or efflux) in red blood cells generally has been measured by assessing the amount of outflux inhibited by digitalis glycosides (outflux-fraction I). The presence of a ouabain-uninhibited sodium outflux (outflux-fraction II) attributable either to a second active transport mechanism or to exchange diffusion has been the subject of recent investigations. In the present study a variety of transport inhibitors, including ouabain, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, oligomycin, and amiloride, were studied for their effects on these components of sodium transport in RBC. In the presence of ouabain both ethacrynic acid and furosemide exerted similar effects on sodium outflux, inhibiting approximately 0.5 mmoles/L of cells per hr. This component of sodium outflux has been called outflux-fraction II. Ethacrynic acid showed no inhibitory potency when ouabain and furosemide were present, thereby suggesting that the same outflux component (fraction II) was affected by ethacrynic acid and by furosemide. In addition, furosemide reduced sodium influx to the same extent that it reduced sodium outflux. Outflux-fraction II, as defined by furosemide, did not contribute a net sodium outflux. These results of sodium outflux and influx experiments confirm the existence of a transport pathway which does not contribute to net flux and which fits the definition of exchange diffusion. The inhibitory effect of furosemide on outflux-fraction II remained despite the use of a sulfhydryl protective reagent, whereas the effect of ethacrynic acid was obliterated. No combination of inhibitors was found which affected the residual or uninhibited sodium outflux (0.4-0.5 mmoles/liter of cells per hr). Oligomycin possessed an inhibitory potency less than that of ouabain, and it exerted no effect on sodium outflux if it was superimposed upon ouabain inhibition. Amiloride proved to be a very weak inhibitor of sodium outflux in human erythrocytes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009840 Oligomycins A closely related group of toxic substances elaborated by various strains of Streptomyces. They are 26-membered macrolides with lactone moieties and double bonds and inhibit various ATPases, causing uncoupling of phosphorylation from mitochondrial respiration. Used as tools in cytochemistry. Some specific oligomycins are RUTAMYCIN, peliomycin, and botrycidin (formerly venturicidin X). Oligomycin
D010042 Ouabain A cardioactive glycoside consisting of rhamnose and ouabagenin, obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and other plants of the Apocynaceae; used like DIGITALIS. It is commonly used in cell biological studies as an inhibitor of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE. Acocantherin,G-Strophanthin,Acolongifloroside K,G Strophanthin
D011719 Pyrazines A heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C4H4N2. Pyrazine
D004058 Diffusion The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT. Diffusions
D004912 Erythrocytes Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN. Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D004976 Ethacrynic Acid A compound that inhibits symport of sodium, potassium, and chloride primarily in the ascending limb of Henle, but also in the proximal and distal tubules. This pharmacological action results in excretion of these ions, increased urinary output, and reduction in extracellular fluid. This compound has been classified as a loop or high ceiling diuretic. Edecrin,Etacrynic Acid,Ethacrinic Acid,Ethacrynate Sodium,Ethacrynic Acid, Sodium Salt,Hydromedin,Acid, Etacrynic,Acid, Ethacrinic,Acid, Ethacrynic,Sodium, Ethacrynate
D005665 Furosemide A benzoic-sulfonamide-furan. It is a diuretic with fast onset and short duration that is used for EDEMA and chronic RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. Frusemide,Fursemide,Errolon,Frusemid,Furanthril,Furantral,Furosemide Monohydrochloride,Furosemide Monosodium Salt,Fusid,Lasix
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000578 Amidines Derivatives of oxoacids RnE(
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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