[Demonstration of a sodium efflux stimulated by lithium in rat erythrocytes].

A system exchanging extracellular Na+ against intracellular Na+ in a one to one ratio has been characterized in human erythrocyte. The function of this system is not yet shown, however its activity is altered in some hypertensive or manic depressives. Its activity can be determined by measuring the rate of Na+ flux in the presence in the extracellular medium, of lithium, ouabain and bumetanide. It is inhibited by phloretin. In this work, a similar flux has been demonstrated in Rat erythrocyte.