Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent ATP-ase activity and calcium homeostasis in children with chronic kidney disease

Extracellular calcium concentrations in humans are thousands times higher than within cells. Maintenance of such gradient requires specific regulation including intracellular stores, Ca binding proteins and transmembrane protein systems. The aim of the study was to estimate PMCA (plasma membrane Ca-transporting adenosine triphosphatase; ATPase 3.6.1.38) activity and calcium homeostasis in erythrocytes of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Twenty-one children wth CKD stages 1-3 (group I) and 18 healthy children (group II) were examined. Group I was divided into two subgroups: Ia (8 patients with normal intact parathyroid hormone, iPTH, serum levels) and Ib (13 patients with increased iPTH). iPTH, urea, creatinine, inorganic phosphorus, cytosolic Ca2+ in red blood cells (R-Ca), and PMCA were determined. Significantly elevated R-Ca levels were observed in children from subgroup Ib in comparison with group II and subgroup Ia. The lowest activity of PMCA was found in subgroup Ia and Ib in comparison with group II. There was a negative correlation between PMCA and R-Ca in group Ia and Ib (r=-0.8, r=-0.9, respectively). In children with CKD treated conservatively, activity of PMCA in erythrocytes is disturbed. An increase in R-Ca and decrease in PMCA activity are also observed.