Effects of oestrogens on erythrocyte enzyme efflux in normal men and women.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Based on earlier evidence that intracellular enzymes are retained by internal arrangement dependent on adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then escape into the plasma during depletion, this study attempted to test external influences, such as hormones, which may also influence intracellular enzyme retention. 20 healthy adults, (10 men and 10 menstruating women) were studied. In addition, pregnant plasma was obtained from healthy pregnant women. Blood specimens from subjects were heparinized and then stressed by chilling; these specimens showed a large efflux of erythrocyte aldolase and lactate dehydrogenase into plasma. When additional aliquots of these same specimens, simultaneously stressed in the same ways, in which natural plasma had been substituted for by the pregnant plasma rich in estrogens, a marked significant reduction in the effux of both enzymes occurred in the female, but not in the male, subjects. These results imply that some difference in erythrocyte response exists between men and women, and that estrogens protect the female erythrocytes against stress. It is speculated that the rapidly rising estrogens during pregnancy may fortify women for their approaching labor, and more, broadly, may be a factor in women's longevity compared with men.