Is the Erythrocyte Sodium Pump Altered in Human Obesity?

Ouabain binding and electrolyte concentrations of erythrocytes, and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity of red cell ghosts were measured in normal and obese subjects, ranging from 88-257% of their ideal body weight. All three independent measurements were virtually the same in obese and nonobese groups, and no correlations were found between these three variables and the percentage of ideal body weight. These results differ from previous reports of either increased or decreased sodium pump function and suggest that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase does not directly influence human obesity.