[Erythrocyte membrane band 3 protein and HCO3-/Cl- exchange function in cor pulmonale patients]

The changes of erythrocyte membrane band 3 protein, blood gases and electrolytes of intraerythrocyte and extra-erythrocyte were investigated in 3 groups: type I respiratory failure (group I, n = 36), type II respiratory failure (group II, n = 33) and control group (CG, n = 50). The distribution of band 3 protein was narrow and the staining intensity of band 3 protein was lower in the electrophotogram of group II. The relative composition of band 3 protein in group II was significantly lower than that in group I and CG (P less than 0.01). The intraerythrocyte HCO3- in group II was significantly higher than that in group I and CG (P less than 0.01), but the extra-erythrocyte Cl- in group II was significantly lower than that in group I and CG (P less than 0.01). These findings suggested that (1) The relative composition reduction of erythrocyte membrane band 3 protein and HCO3-/Cl- exchange restrain may be one of the reasons that aggravated CO2 retention and respiratory acidosis in cor pulmonale patients with type II respiratory failure. (2) Because there was hypochloremia in the most cor pulmonale patients with type II respiratory failure, it was necessary to supply them enough chloride in time, which could not only correct hypochloremia, but also accelerate the rate of HCO3-/Cl- exchange and promote to eliminate CO2.