ERYTHROCYTE SODIUM TRANSPORT IN HEREDITARY ELLIPTOCYTOSIS

Abstract

The active and passive efflux of sodium from erythrocyte membranes was studied in 13 subjects with hereditary elliptocytosis and in 15 normal adult controls. The results indicate that the elliptocytic red ceil membrane is not abnormally permeable to sodium. The active sodium efflux is, however, significantly greater in elliptocytic erythrocyte membranes and suggests that a primary membrane abnormality is responsible for the increased sodium transport.