Energy and heat production of human erythrocytes in different media
De Verdier, C.H.
Acta Biologica et Medica Germanica 40(4-5): 699-702
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5318 PMID: 7315117 Document Number: 169215
Variation in ATP consumption of human erythrocytes was achieved by incubation in different media. Addition of ouabain to a conventional isotonic medium or elimination of the ionic Na+-K+ gradient across the membrane decreases lactate production of the cells by about 40%. Applying a calcium-gradient of 1 mmol . l-1 across the membrane increased glycolysis by about 25%. The various introduced changes in the medium and thus in ATP-consumption cause similar alterations in heat production and lactate production. The experimental results give no suggestions explaining the origin of the part of the heat production that is unrelated to glycolysis.