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Studies on the lithium transport across the red cell membrane

I. Li+ uphill transport by the Na+-dependent Li+ counter-transport system of human erythrocytes

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Summary

Li+ net-transfer across cell membranes was studied on human erythrocytes and ghosts preloaded with 1–2 mM Li+ and incubated in saline media of varying composition at initial thermodynamic equilibrium for Li+. The following results were obtained:

  1. 1.

    Li+ is extruded from glycolyzing erythrocytes against an electrochemical gradient until a steadystate Li+ distribution is established after 24–28 h.

  2. 2.

    The initial rate of Li+ extrusion is not altered by ouabain or by reduction of ATP levels to less than 25% of the normal value.

  3. 3.

    Replacement of external Na+ by K+ or choline+ abolishes the establishment of an electrochemical Li+ gradient.

  4. 4.

    The Li+ distribution ratio Li +e /Li +i increases proportional to the ratio Na +e /Na +i at constant extracellular K+ concentrations.

  5. 5.

    In ghost suspension an uphill Li+ transport is driven by an oppositely directed Na+ gradient. The direction of the Li+ uphill transport can be reversed by reversing the Na+ gradient.

From the results it is concluded that the Li+ uphill transport across human red cell membranes is mediated by a Na+-dependent Li+ counter-transport system. This system is not inhibited by ouabain and does not appear to be identical to the Na+−Na+ exchange system described by Garrahan and Glynn [24].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiologisches Institut, Universität München, Pettenkoferstrasse 12, D-8000, München, Federal Republic of Germany

    Jochen Duhm & Bernhard F. Becker

  2. Psychiatrische Klinik, Universität München, Nußbaumstrasse 7, D-8000, München, Federal Republic of Germany

    Franz Eisenried & Waldemar Greil

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  1. Jochen Duhm
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Duhm, J., Eisenried, F., Becker, B.F. et al. Studies on the lithium transport across the red cell membrane. Pflugers Arch. 364, 147–155 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00585183

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