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Is the Erythrocyte Sodium Pump Altered in Human Obesity?^*

Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (B.M.S., R.R.M., K.A.); Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine (A.H.L.F.); Neuroendocrine Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine (J.E.M., C.B.); Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417; and School of Pharmacy, Oregon State University (D.S.F.), Corvallis, Oregon 97331

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Khalil Ahmed, Toxicology Research Laboratory, Veterans Administration Medical Center, 4801 East 54th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417.

Ouabain binding and electrolyte concentrations of erythrocytes, and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity of red cell ghosts were measured in normal and obese subjects, ranging from 88–257% of their ideal body weight. All three independent measurements were virtually the same in obese and nonobese groups, and no correlations were found between these three variables and the percentage of ideal body weight.

These results differ from previous reports of either increased or decreased sodium pump function and suggest that Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase does not directly influence human obesity.(J Clin Endocrinol Metab 56: 925, 1983)

^* This work was supported by funds from the V.A. Medical Research Fund and PHS Grant HL-21457.

Received July 26, 1982.