Pravastatin has no direct effect on transmembrane cationic transport systems in human erythrocytes and platelets.

In vitro incubation of human erythrocytes and platelets with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor pravastatin in the concentration range 1 nM to 10 microM did not affect the activity of the Na(+)-K(+)-pump, Na(+)-K(+)-cotransport or Na(+)-Li(+)-countertransport, or the ground membrane leak for Na+ and K+. The data indicate that pravastatin has no direct effect on transmembrane cationic transport systems in red blood cells or platelets.