Modulation of Na,K-ATPase activity by immunoglobulins - II. Na,K-ATPase activity in erythrocytes from patients with various chronic disturbances

Background. The condition of various organs can be characterized by the Na,K-ATPase activity therein. The present investigation was aimed at determining of Na,K-ATPase activity in erythrocytes from patients with chronic disturbances, resulting from viral infection and disturbances of non-viral origin. Methods. The functional activity of Na,K-ATPase was investigated in erythrocytes of patients with chronic disturbances resulting from viral infections: chronic glomerulonephrits, chronic pancreatitis, chronic active hepatitis B, diabetes mellitus, and disturbances of non-viral origin: malignant tumours, post-radiation syndrome, and atherosclerosis. ATPase activity was determined in erythrocytes, sampled from patients and from healthy persons, both before and after adding monoclonal anti-bodies immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) to blood samples. Results. Two types of abnormal Na,K-ATPase activity pattern were registered for each of the investigated disturbances. Addition of IgM and IgG to the blood samples from healthy subjects caused analogous abnormalities in the functional activity of Na,K-ATPase, each of the two patterns attributable to a specific antibody. Conclusions. It has been postulated, that the toxic factors, modifying the functional activity of Na,K-ATPase, are immunoglobulins of various types.