Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Erythrocyte sodium/potassium ATPase activity in severe preeclampsia

Journal of Perinatology volume 29, pages 280–283 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Elevated blood levels of endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLF) may decrease erythrocyte sodium pump activity in preeclampsia. As the highest EDLF levels might be expected in severe preeclampsia, we investigated sodium pump activity in that group of patients.

Study Design:

Erythrocyte sodium pump activity was determined by 86Rubidium uptake (in nM per hour per 106 cells) in women with severe preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancies, matched for gestational age, and in healthy nonpregnant women (n=12 in each group). Differences between groups were analyzed by a two-sided Student t-test.

Result:

Sodium pump activity was significantly increased in normotensive pregnancies as compared with normotensive non-pregnant women (81.4±8.4 vs 61.1±7.4, mean±s.d., p<0.05), and was decreased 43% in severe preeclamptic pregnancies as compared with normotensive pregnancies (46.4±14.1 vs 81.4±8.4, p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Severe preeclampsia is associated with significantly lower erythrocyte sodim pump activity than normotensive pregnancy. These data suggest that plasma levels of a biologically active EDLF are elevated in patients with severe preeclampsia.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hladunewich M, Karumanchi SA, Lafayette R . Pathophysiology of the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2007; 2: 543–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Gilbert JS, Ryan MJ, LaMarca BB, Sedeek M, Murphy SR, Granger JP . Pathophysiology of hypertension during preeclampsia: linking placental ischemia with endothelial dysfunction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2008; 294: H541–H550.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Graves SW . Sodium regulation, sodium pump function and sodium pump inhibitors in uncomplicated pregnancy and preeclampsia. Front Biosci 2007; 12: 2438–2446.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Haddy FJ . Abnormalities of membrane transport in hypertension. Hypertension 1983; 5: V66–V72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. de Wardener HE, MacGregor GA . The relation of a circulating sodium transport inhibitor (the natriuretic hormone?) to hypertension. Medicine (Baltimore) 1983; 62: 310–326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Schoner W, Scheiner-Bobis G . Endogenous and exogenous cardiac glycosides: their roles in hypertension, salt metabolism, and cell growth. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2007; 293: C509–C536.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Nesher M, Shpolansky U, Rosen H, Lichtstein D . The digitalis-like steroid hormones: new mechanisms of action and biological significance. Life Sci 2007; 80: 2093–2107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hypertension in pregnancy. ACOG Technical Bulletin No. 219. Washington, DC: ACOG, January 1996.

  9. Balzan S, Montali U, Genovesi-Ebert A, Biver P, Fantoni M, Ghione S . Comparison between endogenous digoxin-like immunoreactivity and 86Rb uptake by erythrocytes in extracts of human plasma. Clin Sci (Lond) 1989; 77: 375–381.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gallery ED, Rowe J, Brown MA, Ross M . Effect of changes in dietary sodium on active electrolyte transport by erythrocytes at different stages of human pregnancy. Clin Sci (Lond) 1988; 74: 145–150.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Sowers JR, Zemel MB, Walsh MF, Standley PR, Zemel PC, Bronsteen RA et al. Effects of normal pregnancy on cellular cation metabolism and peripheral vascular resistance. Am J Hypertens 1990; 3: 16–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. MacPhail S, Thomas TH, Wilkinson R, Davison JM, Dunlop W . Pregnancy induced hypertension and sodium pump function in erythrocytes. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1992; 99: 803–807.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Yoshimura M, Nishikawa M, Ogasawara H, Horimoto M, Yoshikawa N, Sawaragi I et al. Measurement of erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity in normal pregnant women. Endocr J 1993; 40: 171–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Webb GD, Ashmead GG, al-Mahdi S, Auletta FJ, McLaughlin MK . Changes in sodium transport during the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Clin Sci (Lond) 1993; 84: 401–405.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kaplay SS, Prema K . A study of erythrocyte membrane cation transport adenosine triphosphatases in pregnancy-induced hypertension and of in vivo effects of diuretic treatment. Clin Chim Acta 1981; 110: 27–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Rubython J, Morgan DB . The effect of pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension on active sodium transport in the erythrocyte. Clin Chim Acta 1983; 132: 91–99.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Weissberg PL, Weaver J, Woods KL, West MJ, Beevers DG . Pregnancy induced hypertension: evidence for increased cell membrane permeability to sodium. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1983; 287: 709–711.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kaur G, Kapoor N, Mohan P, Sri NK, Singh MJ, Prasad R . Alteration in ouabain-sensitive sodium potassium pump of erythrocytes during pregnancy induced hypertension: a kinetic study. J Biochem Mol Biol Biophys 2002; 6: 163–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Testa I, Rabini RA, Danieli G, Tranquilli AL, Cester N, Romanini C et al. Abnormal membrane cation transport in pregnancy-induced hypertension. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1988; 48: 7–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Tranquilli AL, Mazzanti L, Bertoli E, Romanini C . Sodium/potassium-adenosine triphosphatase on erythrocyte ghosts from pregnant women and its relationship to pregnancy-induced hypertension. Obstet Gynecol 1988; 71: 627–630.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Aronson JK, Moore MP, Redman CW, Harper C . Erythrocytic cation transport receptor numbers and activity in pregnancies complicated by essential hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984; 288: 1332–1334.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kuhnert BR, Kuhnert PM, Murray BA, Sokol RJ . Na/K- and Mg-ATPase activity in the placenta and in maternal and cord erythrocytes of pre-eclamptic patients. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977; 127: 56–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Seely EW, Williams GH, Graves SW . Markers of sodium and volume homeostasis in pregnancy-induced hypertension. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1992; 74: 150–156.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Balzan S, Montali U, Di Bartolo V, Ghione S . Further evidence for an endogenous digitalis-like compound in newborn and adult plasma detected by anti-ouabain antiserum. Life Sci 1997; 60: 893–898.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Jorgensen PL, Hakansson KO, Karlish SJ . Structure and mechanism of Na,K-ATPase: functional sites and their interactions. Annu Rev Physiol 2003; 65: 817–849.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Lijnen P, Petrov V . Cholesterol modulation of transmembrane cation transport systems in human erythrocytes. Biochem Mol Med 1995; 56: 52–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Lucio FJ, Hendry BM, Ellory JC . The effects of cholesterol depletion on the sodium pump in human red cells. Exp Physiol 1991; 76: 437–443.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Tranquilli AL, Cester N, Giannubilo SR, Corradetti A, Nanetti L, Mazzanti L . Plasma lipids and physicochemical properties of the erythrocyte plasma membrane throughout pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2004; 83: 443–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Piazze Garnica JJ, Pierucci F, Vozzi G, Cosmi EV, Anceschi MM . The cholesterol to phospholipids ratio (C/PL) of the erythrocyte membrane in normotensive, hypertensive pregnant and in cord blood as assessed by a simple enzymatic method. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1994; 54: 631–635.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Anceschi MM, Coata G, Cosmi EV, Gaiti A, Trovarelli GF, Di Renzo GC . Erythrocyte membrane composition in pregnancy-induced hypertension: evidence for an altered lipid profile. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1992; 99: 503–507.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Coata G, Frusca T, Baranzelli D, Cosmi EV, Di Renzo GC, Anceschi MM . Abnormal platelet lipid membrane composition in pregnancy induced hypertension. J Perinat Med 1992; 20: 123–127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Hubel CA . Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999; 222: 222–235.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Chappell LC, Seed PT, Kelly FJ, Briley A, Hunt BJ, Charnock-Jones DS et al. Vitamin C and E supplementation in women at risk of preeclampsia is associated with changes in indices of oxidative stress and placental function. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002; 187: 777–784.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Rodrigo R, Bachler JP, Araya J, Prat H, Passalacqua W . Relationship between (Na+K)-ATPase activity, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid profile in erythrocytes of hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Mol Cell Biochem 2007; 303: 73–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Gilson GJ, Graves SW, Qualls CR, Curet LB . Digoxin-like immunoreactive substance and sodium–potassium-adenosine triphosphatase inhibition in normal pregnancy: a longitudinal study. Obstet Gynecol 1997; 89: 743–746.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Ringel R, Pinkas G, Hamlyn J, Mullins L, Hamilton B . Endogenous inhibition of red blood cell Na,K-ATPase in essential and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Clin Exp Hypertens A 1989; 11: 587–601.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Balzan S, Montali U, Biver P, Ghione S . Digoxin-binding antibodies reverse the effect of endogenous digitalis-like compounds on Na,K-ATPase in erythrocytes. J Hypertens Suppl 1991; 9: S304–S305.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Hopoate M, Graves SW, Adair D, Mason L, Stallings SP, Torres C et al. Digibind reduces the inhibition of red blood cell Rb uptake caused by endogenous sodium pump inhibitors in serum and placenta from women with preeclampsia. Abstracts, International Society of the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, 2008, p 69.

  39. Lam G, Johnson D, Robinson C, Saade G, Lewis D, Porter K et al. Antepartum administration of digoxin immune Fab (Digibind) improves renal function in patients with severe preeclampsia. Abstracts, International Society of the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, 2008, p 44.

  40. Visser W, Wallenburg HC . Central hemodynamic observations in untreated preeclamptic patients. Hypertension 1991; 17: 1072–1077.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Section on Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA

    C D Adair & J-C Veille

  2. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Department of Biochemistry, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport, LA, USA

    C D Adair & Y Wang

  3. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Section on Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, TN, USA

    C D Adair

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, The Renal Unit, Harvard Medical School, Charleston, MA, USA

    G T Haupert Jr & H P Koh

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Nephrology, The Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA

    V Buckalew

Authors
  1. C D Adair
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G T Haupert Jr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H P Koh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J-C Veille
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. V Buckalew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C D Adair.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adair, C., Haupert, G., Koh, H. et al. Erythrocyte sodium/potassium ATPase activity in severe preeclampsia. J Perinatol 29, 280–283 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.223

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.223

Keywords

Search

Advanced search

Quick links