The aims of the present study were twofold: (1) simultaneous determinations of Na+ transport parameters of erythrocytes from 40 healthy donors and 28 septic patients as assessed by a score of severity of sepsis (SSS), and (2) examination of the correlation between the SSS and specific Na+ transport abnormalities. Erythrocytes were obtained and loaded with different ionic compositions and cellular Na+ contents before determination of the near-maximal Na+ pump rate (Vmax), the physiological extrusion rate of Na+ (v) and the number of ouabain-binding sites (Bmax). In erythrocytes from septic patients, the cellular Na+ content was 28% higher (p < 0.001), with no differences in water content compared to erythrocytes from healthy donors. This elevated Na+ content was accompanied by significantly higher values for Vmax (43%), v (24%) and Bmax (48%) of the Na+ pump in septic erythrocytes. Moreover, significant positive correlations existed between Vmax and SSS (p = 0.028) and between cellular Na+ content and SSS (p = 0.005). These data suggest that during sepsis, membrane alterations occur and result in an increased cellular Na+ content. Active Na+ transport (Vmax and v) was significantly stimulated, possibly as a consequence of a secondary response to the elevated Na+ of cells. Both cellular Na+ and Vmax correlated well with the severity of sepsis, suggesting that these altered transport parameters may reflect the progress of sepsis. Copyright (C) 2003 National Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel.
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JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Pages: 389-395
