Na+ + K+ ATPase of erythrocyte membranes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

We studied the Na+ + K+ ATPase activity of erythrocyte membranes from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Samples from patients and controls were obtained at almost the same time on the same day and processed simultaneously. Difference of anticoagulants, extent of washing the red cells, mechanical or osmotic disruption of the cells, presence or absence of EDTA in the washing solution of the ghosts, intentional removal of the peripheral proteins of the membranes, addition of DMD plasma to the assay system, and different temperatures of membrane storage caused no significant differences between DMD and control in Na+ + K+ ATPase or in response of the enzyme to ouabain.