Erythrocyte membrane Na,K ATP ase activity can be a marker of liver histopathology

Erythrocyte membrane Na+,K+; Ca2+ ATP ase activities, cholesterol (CH) phospholipid (PL) composition and erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) contents were determined in controls, in patients with chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Na+,K+ ATP ase activities were significantly (P<0.0001) less in patients with chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (n=8, 0.102 ± 0.02 µmol P/mg protein/hour; n=8, 0.081 ± 0.02 µmol P/mg protein/hour) than in controls (n=10, 0.219 ± 0.05). Histopathological analysis of liver sections obtained from patients with chronic active hepatitis (n=3) and liver cirrhosis (n=2) correlated well with erlthrocyte biochemical findings. There was a significant negative correlation between Na+,K+ ATP ase activity and portal fibrosis (P<0.05, r=‐8680). However, further experiments performed on larger study populations are needed to better elucidate this correlation. Therefore, Na+,K+ ATP ase activity measurement can be reliable assessment of liver fibrosis.