Catecholamine-stimulated potassium transport in erythrocytes from normal and obese subjects

The beta adrenergic-modulated Na+/K+ ATPase pump rate of red blood cells was measured in vitro in 18 non diabetic obese patients. After challenge of erythrocytes with beta adrenergic selective agonist Salbutamol, the decrement of the K+ concentration in the suspending medium was assumed to be related to the Na+/K+ ATPase pump rate or to the number of beta 2 receptors. The mean K+ uptake was markedly increased in the erythrocytes of obese patients (1.58 mEq/l SD 0.18) if compared with 38 normal subjects (1.30 mEq/l SD 0.11) and with a population of 30 atopic patients that we have previously reported to have a reduced red cells beta 2 receptor activity (1.09 mEq/L SD 0.11). These results are not consistent with the hypothesis that a reduction in the Na+/K+ ATPase pump rate (at least in red blood cells) may be responsible for decreased metabolic rates leading to obesity. Since the autonomic nervous system is involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, it is conceivable that an increased Na+ ATPase pump rate (or supersensitivity) may be responsible of the increased incidence of hypertension, congestive heart failure and unexplained sudden death associated with obesity in some patients.