Effect of Cholinesterase and Choline Acetylase Inhibitors on the Potassium Concentration Gradient and Potassium Exchange of Human Erythrocytes

Abstract

The effect of cholinesterase inhibitors (physostigmine and diisopropyl fluorophosphate) and of choline acetylase inhibitors (methylene blue and 2-methyl-l,4-naphtho-quinone) on K distr. and exchange across the human red cell membrane was studied by means of radioactive K. Physostigmine and DFP caused a loss of K from the cells due principally to a decrease in the rate at which K enters the cells from the plasma. No direct relationship was found between inhibition of cholinesterase activity and K leakage. Methylene blue and 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone caused a loss of K from cells due principally to an increase in the rate at which K leaves the cells.