Effect of Calcium Antagonism on Intracellular Concentrations and Transmembrane Fluxes of Cations in Erythrocytes of Men at Rest and During Exercise

Abstract

The effect of calcium (Ca2+) antagonism with felodipine on the intracellular concentrations and transmembrane fluxes of cations in erythrocytes, was studied in 10 normal volunteers at rest and during exercise. All subjects performed two uninterrupted incremental exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer in a randomized order either after placebo administration or after 3 days of pretreatment with felodipine 5 mg t.i.d. Felodipine did not affect the erythrocyte ouabain-sensitive 86rubidium uptake, furosemide-sensitive sodium (Na+)- and potassium (K+)-effluxes and the Na+,Li+-countertransport at rest and during exercise and recovery. Intra-erythrocyte and plasma Na+ and K+ concentrations were not different during felodipine whereas the plasma Ca2+ concentration was significantly increased. Plasma magnesium (Mg2+) concentration was reduced during felodipine treatment while the intra-erythrocyte Mg2+ concentration tended to be increased. The intra-erythrocyte to plasma concentration ratios for Na+ and K+ were not significantly affected by felodipine whereas the ratio for Mg2+ was increased. It is concluded that short-term Ca2+ antagonism with felodipine is not accompanied by major alterations in the intracellular concentrations and transmembrane fluxes of Na+ and K+ in red blood cells of normotensive subjects. The red cell transmembrane gradient for Mg2+ is however altered by felodipine.