Erythrocyte function and aldosterone

Abstract

Measurements have been made of the relative changes of the flexibility and respiratory function of erythrocytes after adding aldosterone (10–5000 μg/l.) to blood and cell suspensions. With whole blood no difference was observed. With washed cells or blood diluted many-fold in Ringer-Locke solution aldosterone significantly reduced these factors. Washing cells on its own produces a degree of inflexibility of the erythrocytes and the aldosterone effect is superimposed on this. Re-adding plasma to the washed cells reverses the inflexibility and prevents the aldosterone interaction. A similar decrease of flexibility and lowering of respiratory efficiency has been observed with patients having Conn’s Syndrome. After treatment with aldactone, or surgical removal of the adrenal glands, these factors are significantly improved and nearer normal.