The changes of erythrocyte membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activities in subjects with normal and impaired glucose tolerance

The effects of glucose on Na+-K+ ATPase activity of erythrocyte membranes were investigated under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Results of the study, in vitro, showed that Na+-K+ ATPase activity of erythrocyte membrane was increased by increasing glucose concentrations (0-30 mM). When glucose-6-phosphate (0-100 mM) was used instead of glucose no significant change occurred in Na+-K+ ATPase activity. Tunicamycin (0.01 ng/ml) when added to the incubation media together with glucose prevented the increase in Na+-K+ ATPase activity