[Effect of vitamin A deficiency on ATPase activity and the transport functions of erythrocyte membranes].

Influence of vitamin A deficiency on ATPase activity in erythrocytes was studied experimentally. It was shown that activity of Mg2+, Na+, K+-ATPase increased, while that of Na+, K+-ATPase decreased under such conditions. The assay of K+ and Na+ in erythrocytes and plasma revealed diminished K+ content in erythrocytes and its elevated level in plasma, Na+ concentration in erythrocytes rose. The author considers that disorders of protein biosynthesis (at the level of translation) in hypovitaminosis A are responsible for the results obtained.