Neonatal red blood cells as a model for the study of ouabain-furosemide interaction on active K+transport. A theoretical approach

Abstract

In a former paper by Serrani et al. (1990), an overlapping action of ouabain and furosemide on potassium influx was observed. In the present paper we demonstrated that Na, K-ATPase from neonatal red cells ghosts is a target of both drugs. Furthermore the combined action of ouabain and furosemide on potassium (86Rb) influx (in its greatest fraction mediated by primary active transport) was studied by generalized equations for the analysis of inhibitors. The isobologram and the combination index performed from the data obtained point to the existence of synergism or antagonism between both inhibitors according to the fraction affected. Clinical implications of these findings could be postulated.