How aluminum is taken up by red blood cells: a study in relation to hypochromic microcytic anemia in hemodialyzed patients

Investigation of aluminium uptake by human erythrocytes was the major aim of this study. Packed red blood cells were incubated in Earle's medium [pH 7.4] containing varying concentrations of aluminium [0-160 micro g/l] as A1K[SO[4]][2] and aluminium content of the cells were determined using flameless atomic absorption. There was significant increase in aluminium content of the cells. Addition of 5 mM glucose caused an elevation of red cell aluminium, whereas depletion of red cells from ATP caused a marked reduction in aluminium uptake. Both ouabain and vanadate, when added to the medium, caused a significant reduction in aluminium uptake in line with a decrease in ATP ase activity