Erythrocyte cation content and sodium transport in Siberian huskies

Adult mixed-breed dogs and Siberian Huskies were used to study erythrocyte cation and water contents, as well as sodium transport kinetics. Erythrocyte sodium, potassium, and water contents, as well as sodium efflux and influx kinetics, were measured. Lithium efflux studies were also performed, because previous studies reported involvement of this ion in sodium transport kinetics. Sodium, potassium, and water contents in erythrocytes from mixed-breed dogs were significantly (P less than 0.05) different from those of Siberian Huskies when cells were washed in an isotonic sodium-free medium. Lithium efflux in hypertonic choline chloride was found to be significantly (P less than 0.048) different in erythrocytes obtained from Siberian Huskies, compared with those from mixed-breed dogs. Additionally, sodium efflux in isotonic choline chloride was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in erythrocytes isolated from Siberian Huskies. Under these experimental conditions, sodium efflux was inhibited by 10 mM LiCl in erythrocytes of both groups. Amiloride (0.2 mM) was found to be a potent inhibitor of Na+ and Li+ efflux. These data indicate that Na+ metabolism may be altered in erythrocytes of Siberian Huskies, and may provide important insight into some of the erythrocyte transport abnormalities associated with specific human diseases in which erythrocyte cation content and sodium transport kinetics are altered.