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A plasma factor inhibiting erythrocyte magnesium efflux
J G Henrotte1, G Franck, M Santarromana
1CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France.
Magnesium Research
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Erythrocytes lose magnesium in a special buffer, but not in blood plasma. Blood plasma contains a factor that inhibits this magnesium loss, independent of its magnesium, calcium, or protein content.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells) can lose significant magnesium (Mg) when incubated in magnesium- and calcium-free phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
- This Mg efflux is notably absent when erythrocytes are incubated in their native plasma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factor in blood plasma responsible for inhibiting erythrocyte magnesium efflux.
- To determine if plasma's Mg, Ca, or protein content explains the inhibition of Mg efflux.
Main Methods:
- Murine erythrocytes were incubated in various solutions: PBS, diluted human and rat plasmas, diluted fetal calf serum, and PBS with added MgCl2, CaCl2, and plasma proteins.
- Erythrocyte Mg efflux was quantified and statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- Diluted human and rat plasmas significantly inhibited erythrocyte Mg efflux (P = 10⁻⁸).
- Mouse plasma and fetal calf serum also demonstrated significant inhibition of Mg efflux.
- The addition of magnesium, calcium, or purified plasma proteins to the incubation medium had minimal effect on Mg efflux.
Conclusions:
- Blood plasma contains a factor that actively inhibits Mg efflux from murine erythrocytes.
- This inhibitory effect is not attributable to the plasma's concentration of magnesium, calcium, or proteins.