Effect of digoxin on human erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. A link to natriuretic hormone?

The authors studied the effect of a 0.5 mg intravenous bolus injection of digoxin on human red blood cell glucose-6-phosphate activity under in vivo circumstances. Digoxin administration resulted in a small but statistically significant rise in the enzyme activity. This effect of digoxin seems to support the hypothesis that the circulating sodium transport inhibitor substance or natriuretic hormone found in a group of patients with essential hypertension may be an endogenous digitalis because the two substances act similarly in this respect.