Alcohol and the calcium-dependent potassium transport of human erythrocytes

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Alcohol; (United States)

OSTI ID:6179351

Harris, R A; Caldwell, K K

In vitro exposure of human red blood cells to ethanol (100 and 400 mM) was found to increase the initial rate of calcium-dependent potassium efflux through the red cell membrane. This effect of ethanol was apparently not due to an elevation of the intracellular free calcium but rather to a direct action of the drug on the transport process as, (1) intracellular calcium concentrations were tightly buffered with EGTA, (2) ethanol did not alter the efflux of UVCa from the cells, and (3) dantrolene, which has been proposed to counteract the effect of ethanol on intracellular calcium levels in the erythrocyte, did not inhibit the stimulatory action of ethanol. The efflux of potassium from erythrocytes obtained from chronic alcoholics was not different from that of erythrocytes from non-alcoholic individuals. The relationship of these findings to neuronal potassium transport is discussed.

• Research Organization: Denver V.A. Medical Center, CO
• OSTI ID: 6179351
• Journal Information: Alcohol; (United States), Vol. 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CALCIUM 45
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
ETHANOL
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
RUBIDIUM ISOTOPES
ADULTS
ERYTHROCYTES
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AGE GROUPS
ALCOHOLS
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ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
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BODY FLUIDS
CALCIUM ISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
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INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
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551001* - Physiological Systems- Tracer Techniques