Red cell response to A23187 and valinomycine in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Treatment of red cells from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients with A23187 induced identical responses with those in controls in terms of Ca++ flux, shrinkage, ATP depletion, hypotonic lysis protection, and glycolysis stimulation. The level of RC-free calcium seemed not to be altered in DMD. Valinomycine-induced shrinkage was enhanced significantly in DMD red blood cells.