In vivo accumulation of sodium pump inhibitor by normal and uremic erythrocytes.

A uremic toxin fraction (fraction 2-3-1) in the middle molecular mass range (300-2000 Da) containing a sodium potassium inhibitor pump was studied. As fraction 2-3-1 was known to be present in minute quantities in urine and plasma, erythrocyte lysates were used as an alternative source. Results show that fraction 2-3-1 is more abundant in erythrocytes than in normal urine. In addition, the fraction is present in a greater quantity in uremic erythrocytes than in normal blood cells. It is concluded that fraction 2-3-1 is concentrated at the erythrocyte level in uremic patients.