L-ARGININE METHYLESTER REDUCES Ca2+/Cl− -DEPENDENT L-[3H]GLUTAMATE BINDING AND Ca2+-ACTIVATED NEUTRAL PROTEASE ACTIVITY IN RAT HIPPOCAMPAL MEMBRANES

Specific binding of L-[3H]glutamate was measured in Tris-HCl buffer in rat hippocampal membranes. In these experimental conditions 1 mM CaCl2 induced an increase in binding due to an increase in Bmax. L-Arginine methylester did not modify the Cl(-)-dependent binding of L-[3H]glutamate, but it decreased Ca2+/Cl(-)-stimulated binding in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing Bmax without changing KD. L-Arginine methylester reduced calcium-activated neutral protease activity in a dose-dependent manner. Serine protease inhibitors (aprotinin and di-isopropylfluorophosphate) did not affect L-[3H]glutamate binding, whereas leupeptin reduced it in a dose-dependent manner. L-Arginine did not mimic the effect of L-arginine methylester in either model.     

CHANGES IN PLATELET FREE Ca2+ CONCENTRATION AFTER CHRONIC DIGOXIN TREATMENT

Summary— Cell Na+ and Ca²⁺ concentrations control each other by various mechanisms. In excitable cells from various origins, Ca²⁺ extrusion from the cell and its entry are dependent for a large part on the activity of the Na+, Ca²⁺-countertransport system. Cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration is also controlled by the Na+–H+ exchange activity. To analyze the changes in cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration accompanying the reduction of the membrane Na+ gradient, cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured by fluorescent dyes in platelets and erythrocytes from healthy subjects, before and during digoxin treatment (0.25 mg/day for 6 days). [Ca²⁺]_i was increased in platelets from 169±30 to 321±61 nmol/l ( n = 7, P <0.02) and unchanged in erythrocytes (121±6 and 104±7 nmol/l). This increase in platelet [Ca²⁺]_i was not accompanied by a change in serotonin content (5.43±0.67 vs 5.49±0.61 10⁻⁷ mol per 10¹¹ cells) and could not be reproduced by in vitro addition of 10⁻⁴ mol/l ouabain (198±33 vs 186±73 nmol/l). The enhanced [Ca²⁺]_i in platelets is thus not a short-term consequence of a reduced membrane Na+ gradient, but reflects either the overload of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores or an enhanced in vivo stimulation by hormones or neurotransmitters.     

The cytoplasmic Ca2+ response to glucose as an indicator of impairment of the pancreatic β-cell function

Abstract. The effects of glucose on the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration (Ca²⁺_i) regulating insulin release were investigated using pancreatic β-cells representative for the normal and diabetic situations. Increase of the glucose concentration resulted in a slight lowering of Ca²⁺_i followed by a rise, often manifested as high amplitude oscillations. The Ca²⁺_i-lowering component in the glucose action associated with suppression of insulin release became particularly prominent when the β-cells were already depolarized by tolbutamide. Glucose-induced inhibition of insulin release was observed also in experiments with rats made diabetic with streptozotocin or alloxan. Other studies indicated lowering of plasma insulin after intravenous glucose administration in patients with insulin- and noninsu-lin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Brief exposure of β-cells to 2–2 mmol 1^-1 streptozotocin resulted in impairment of the response to glucose, manifested as disappearance of the cyclic variation of Ca²⁺_i. The results indicate that glucose-induced depolarisation is a vulnerable process, the disturbance of which may contribute to insulin secretory defects in diabetes mellitus.     

Primary and secondary agonists can use P2X1 receptors as a major pathway to increase intracellular Ca2+ in the human platelet

In the platelet, it is well established that many G-protein- and tyrosine kinase-coupled receptors stimulate phospholipase-C-dependent Ca(2+) mobilization; however, the extent to which secondary activation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-gated P2X(1) receptors contributes to intracellular Ca(2+) responses remains unclear. We now show that selective inhibition of P2X(1) receptors substantially reduces the [Ca(2+)](i) increase evoked by several important agonists in human platelets; for collagen, thromboxane A(2), thrombin, and adenosine 5'-diphoshate (ADP) the maximal effect was a reduction to 18%, 34%, 52%, and 69% of control, respectively. The direct contribution of P2X(1) to the secondary Ca(2+) response was far greater than that of either P2Y receptors activated by co-released ADP, or via synergistic P2X(1):P2Y interactions. The relative contribution of P2X(1) to the peak Ca(2+) increase varied with the strength of the initial stimulus, being greater at low compared to high levels of stimulation for both glycoprotein VI and PAR-1, whereas P2X(1) contributed equally at both low and high levels of stimulation of thromboxane A(2) receptors. In contrast, only strong stimulation of P2Y receptors resulted in significant P2X(1) receptor activation. ATP release was detected by soluble luciferin:luciferase in response to all agonists that stimulated secondary P2X(1) receptor activation. However, P2X(1) receptors were stimulated earlier and to a greater extent than predicted from the average ATP release, which can be accounted for by a predominantly autocrine mechanism of activation. Given the central role of [Ca(2+)](i) increases in platelet activation, these studies indicate that ATP should be considered alongside ADP and thromboxane A(2) as a significant secondary platelet agonist.     

Imaging of Ca2+-induced cytoplasmic Ca2+ responses in normal and pathological parathyroid cells

Ca²⁺-induced changes in the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) were studied in bovine and normal and pathological human parathyroid cells using digital image analysis of fura-2-loaded cells. When raising external Ca²⁺ from 0.5 to 3.0 mmol L⁻¹, about 95% of all cells reacted rapidly and simultaneously with sustained elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i. In approximately two out of three bovine parathyroid cells, normal human cells and cells from most patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT) the sustained phase was preceded by an overshooting [Ca²⁺]_i transient. The proportion of cells with such a transient was decreased in cells from severe cases of uraemic parathyroid hyperplasia only. However, pathological human cells from adenomas and normal-sized glands associated with adenomas, as well as cells from primary and uraemic hyperplasias, had lower peak and sustained levels than normal human and bovine cells. The results indicate that both normal and pathological parathyroid cells exhibit heterogeneity in their [Ca²⁺]_i responses to elevation of external Ca²⁺. The Ca²⁺-induced [Ca²⁺]_i transients and the sustained elevations are attenuated in pathological human parathyroid cells. However, the presence of the overshooting transient represents physiological variability rather than being a consequence of the pathophysiology associated with HPT.     

Local and systemic effects of Na+/K+ ATPase inhibition

The positive inotropic and electrophysiological effects of cardiac glycosides on cardiac muscle are mediated through inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase by binding to a specific extracytoplasmic site of the a-subunit of this enzyme. The inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase affects ionic flux and produces direct local effects on cardiac contractility, electrical excitability and conduction, but also profound systemic effects mainly as a result of haemodynamic changes. These effects are responsible for beneficial therapeutic as well as toxic effects.
Inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase results in potentiation of K⁺ loss from cells and Na⁺ entry into cells, so consequently affects action potential generation and propagation. This also underlines the potentiation of certain effects of cardiac glycosides by hypokalemia and hypomagnesaemia, and the effects of changes in calcium homeostasis on the cardiac glycoside pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, inhibition of Na⁺/Ca⁺⁺ exchange enhances Ca⁺⁺ mobilization and promotes contractility. These effects (locally and systemically) differ greatly, depending on the haemodynamic status and myocardial oxygen supply.
Cardiac glycosides have less affinity for Na⁺/K⁺ ATPases at other sites (e.g. skeletal muscle), but some extracardiac effects (vascular effects, effects on colour vision, CNS and autonomic effects, renal effects) may be related to Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase inhibition.     

Effects of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase tyrosine phosphorylation on human platelet function

BACKGROUND: The plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) plays an essential role in maintaining low intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) in resting platelets. Earlier studies demonstrated that platelet activation by thrombin results in tyrosine phosphorylation of PMCA, which inhibits pump activity. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the functional consequences of PMCA tyrosine phosphorylation. METHODS: A decapeptide including the tyrosine phosphorylation site of PMCA and a scrambled version were synthesized and introduced into human platelets using saponin. Fura-2 calcium monitoring and aggregometry were used to characterize the effects of inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation. RESULTS: Western blot analysis of immunoprecipitates showed that introduction of the inhibitory peptide decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of PMCA by nearly 60% in saponin-permeabilized, thrombin-treated platelets as compared with the scrambled control peptide. Concomitant with inhibition of PMCA tyrosine phosphorylation was a significant decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) during thrombin-mediated platelet activation. The functional consequence of reduced PMCA tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased [Ca(2+)](i) was a significant delay in the onset of thrombin-mediated platelet aggregation. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that PMCA tyrosine phosphorylation regulates [Ca(2+)](i) during platelet activation, which affects downstream events in the activation process. Moreover, PMCA tyrosine phosphorylation and resultant inhibition of PMCA activity produces a positive feedback loop mechanism by enhancing the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) accompanying platelet activation.     

Effect of inhibition of the electrogenic Na+/K+ pump on the mechanical activity in the rat uterus

Summary— The effects of ouabain and K⁺-free solution were studied in estrogen-primed rat uterine strips under resting tone or repeatedly stimulated with KCl, acetylcholine or oxytocin applied for 20 minutes at 60 minute intervals. These effects were compared with those of the K⁺ channel opener cromakalim. In preparations under resting tone, ouabain (0.1 mM and 0.3 mM) induced rhythmic contractions which disappeared after 20–30 minutes whereas at a higher concentration (1 mM) it evoked a rapid, phasic response followed by a small tonic contraction. Exposure of the strip to a K⁺-free solution induced either rhythmic waves, which ceased after 8–10 minutes, or a single phasic contraction which was followed by a small and slow increase in the resting tone (54 ± 10 mg after 180 min exposure). Nifedipine (0.3 μM) abolished the rhythmic or phasic component of these responses but failed to modify the late small tonic contraction induced by ouabain 1 mM or by K⁺-free solution. Ouabain (0.1–1 mM) or K⁺-free-evoked responses disappeared after short (4 min) or prolonged (60 min) exposure to a Ca²⁺-free, 3 mM EGTA-containing solution. Cromakalim (10 nM ?0.1 mM) did not induce any variation in the resting tone either in the presence or in the absence of Ca²⁺ in the medium. In strips repeatedly stimulated with acetylcholine (0.1 mM) or oxytocin (1 μM), ouabain (0.3 mM), K⁺-free-solution and cromakalim (10 μM) reduced the amplitude of the initial, phasic response and progressively decreased the oscillatory component of the response to these agonists. Conversely, the successive responses evoked by KCl 60 mM in similar experimental conditions were not affected by ouabain or cromakalim. Ouabain (0.3 mM), K⁺-free solution and cromakalim (10 μM) decreased the Ca²⁺-independent, maintained contractions induced by acetylcholine or oxytocin after prolonged exposure to a Ca²⁺-free, EGTA-containing medium. These inhibitory effects were partially or completely reversed in the presence of the non-selective potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (10 mM) or in a Ca²⁺-free solution containing 60 mM K⁺. In conclusion, these results suggest that the response induced by ouabain or K⁺-free solution in estrogen-primed rat myometrium involves Ca²⁺ influx through potential-operated calcium channels but not Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. In addition, our results show that prolonged exposure to ouabain or K⁺-free medium decreases membrane receptor-mediated responses in rat uterus. This inhibitory effect seems to be the result, at least in part, of a decrease in the cytosolic level of K⁺, due to the inhibition of the electrogenic Na⁺ pump.     

Erythrocyte Na+–H+ exchanger kinetics and Na+–Li+ countertransport activity in essential hypertensive patients

The authors measured Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger kinetics together with Na⁺–Li⁺ countertransport V _max in the erythrocytes of 21 subjects with essential hypertension and 16 normotensive control subjects. Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger V _max appeared to be increased in patients with essential hypertension, while the Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger affinity for intracellular proton sites ( K _50%) proved to be unchanged and the index of cooperativity among intracellular proton binding sites as measured by Hill's coefficient (Hill's n ) decreased as compared with normotensive control subjects. Na⁺–Li⁺ countertransport V _max appeared to be higher in patients with essential hypertension than in control subjects. The authors were unable to find any correlations between Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger kinetic parameters and metabolic variables such as parameters of insulin resistance and plasma lipids. On the basis of the data obtained, erythrocyte Na⁺–H⁺ exchanger activity was found to be abnormal in two kinetic variables in essential hypertensive patients and showed no simple linear correlations with the main variables of glucose metabolism, plasma lipids, renin or aldosterone.     

中药补肾方对心力衰竭大鼠Na+-K+ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+ATP酶和琥珀酸脱氢酶的作用研究

目的研究补肾方对心力衰竭大鼠Na+-K+ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+ATP酶和琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)的作用。方法 60只大鼠随机分为模型组、假手术组、曲美他嗪组、补肾低、中、高剂量组,每组10只。采用结扎冠状动脉前降支法制备心力衰竭大鼠模型,术后2周开始灌胃,分别给予药物干预8周。8周后通过颈动脉插管记录大鼠血流动力学改变,包括左室收缩压(LVSP)、左室舒张压(LVEDP)、左室内压上升下降最大速率(±LVdp/dtmax);采用分光光度计检测心力衰竭大鼠心肌Na+-K+ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+ATP酶以及SDH水平。结果模型组大鼠心肌LVSP和+LVdp/dtmax较假手术组明显降低(P<0.01),而LVEDP和-LVdp/dtmax明显升高(P<0.05);补肾方干预后,中、高剂量大鼠心肌收缩、舒张功能明显优于模型组(P<0.01),以高剂量补肾方改善心力衰竭大鼠心功能明显。补肾方干预后,Na+-K+ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+ATP酶和SDH活力高于模型组,但低于假手术组,且随补肾方剂量增加,Na+-K+ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+ATP酶和SDH活力逐渐增强。结论补肾方可改善心力衰竭大鼠的心功能,可能与Na+-K+ATP酶、Ca2+-Mg2+ATP酶以及SDH活力增强相关。     

Potentiating effects of nicorandil on the adenosine A2 receptor-mediated vasodepression in rats: potential role for KATP channels

Summary— The effects of nicorandil on systemic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) responses to adenosine were compared with those to N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), a selective adenosine A, receptor agonist, and 5'-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (CPCA), a selective adenosine A₂ receptor agonist, in anesthetized rats. When injected intravenously (iv), single bolus doses of CPCA (0.01–1.0 μg/kg), like adenosine (30 μg/kg), elicited dose-dependent decreases in SBP scarcely affecting HR, while CPA (0.03–1.0 μg/kg) produced only reduction of HR without influencing SBP. The enhancement of the vasodepressor response to CPCA, like adenosine, was induced by the iv infusion of either nicorandil (10 μg/kg per min) or cromakalim (0.1 μg/kg per min), but the response to CPA in HR remained unmodified during the infusion of nicorandil as well as cromakalim. After iv treatment with glibenclamide (20 mg/kg), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K⁺ channel blocker, or 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX) (1 mg/kg), a selective antagonist of adenosine A₂ receptor, not only CPCA action but also the enhancement of CPCA action by nicorandil and cromakalim were significantly attenuated. Similar results were obtained in the case of single bolus iv adenosine. The present result indicates that the augmentation of the adenosine action by nicorandil appears to be mediated by activation of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels, closely linked with stimulation on A₂ receptors by adenosine.     

高血压合并冠心病患者平滑肌细胞内Ca2+水平和血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体表达的观察研究

目的 观察高血压合并冠心病患者与正常血压冠心病患者平滑肌细胞内Ca2+水平和血管紧张素Ⅱ1型(AT1)受体的表达情况.方法 ①收集首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院心脏外科行冠状动脉旁路移植术患者术中剩余大隐静脉,进行细胞培养,分为高血压搭桥组和正常血压搭桥组.②用激光共聚焦显微镜(CLSM)观察不同浓度的血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)分别刺激后2组的平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度的变化情况.③提取培养的平滑肌细胞总RNA、RT-PCR,观察2组AT1受体的表达情况.结果 经AngⅡ刺激后人平滑肌细胞内Ca2+均迅速升高.在高血压搭桥组AngⅡ刺激后平滑肌细胞胞内Ca2+荧光吸光度较正常血压搭桥组明显升高(P＜0.05).在平滑肌细胞观察到高血压搭桥组AT1受体表达较正常血压搭桥组略高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 AngⅡ刺激后人血管平滑肌细胞存在胞内Ca2+的变化.高血压冠心病患者和正常血压冠心病患者平滑肌细胞存在AT1受体表达差别.     

Erythrocyte Li+/Na+ and Na+/H+ exchange, cardiac anatomy and function in insulin-dependent diabetics

It has been proposed that an increased activity of cell membrane Na+/H+ exchange, mirrored by increased erythrocyte Li+/Na+ exchange, may facilitate cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus may develop a specific cardiomyopathy with systolic and diastolic abnormalities and increased thickness of the left ventricle. Therefore, we have investigated the relationships between erythrocyte Li+/Na+ and Na+/H+ exchange and echocardiographic parameters in 31 male insulin-dependent diabetics (aged 17-68), in good metabolic control. Three had untreated mild hypertension. In all patients the urinary albumin excretion rate was less than 200 micrograms min-1. Ten patients had a Li+/Na+ countertransport higher than 0.37 mmol l-1 cell h-1, the upper normal limit for our laboratory (0.49 +/- 0.10, mean +/- SD). In comparison with the patients with normal countertransport, they had increased interventricular septum thickness and relative wall thickness (h/r). End diastolic volume and cardiac index were reduced while blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion rate were similar. In the whole study group, interventricular septum thickness was significantly correlated to Li+/Na+ exchange (r = 0.61, P less than 0.001) and Na+/H+ exchange (r = 0.35, P less than 0.05), independently of the effect of age and blood pressure. Posterior wall thickness was correlated to Li+/Na+ exchange (r = 0.38, P less than 0.05) and h/r to Li+/Na+ exchange (r = 0.41, P less than 0.05) and to Na+/H+ exchange (r = 0.44, P less than 0.05). Li+/Na+ exchange was negatively correlated to cardiac index (r = -0.37, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

甲状腺激素T3对心肌细胞钠钾泵及钙泵功能的影响

目的观察甲状腺激素T3(三碘甲腺原氨酸)对鼠缺血再灌注(I/R)心肌细胞钠钾泵及钙泵功能的影响,探讨T3在心肌保护中的作用.方法将实验大鼠分为甲状腺功能正常(A组)和甲状腺功能减退(甲减,B组)两组,每组又分别随机分成对照组、缺血组、单纯灌注液组、T3灌注液组;测定左室心肌与体重的比值;测定各组心肌细胞Na+-K+-ATPase、Ca2+-ATPase活性.结果甲减状态大鼠心肌细胞Na+-K+-ATPase、Ca2+-ATPase活性分别下降10.8%、43.2%(P＜0.01).缺血30min,A、B两组的Na+-K+-ATPase、Ca2+-ATPase活性均明显降低,并随着复灌进一步下降.然而,在复灌20min时,T3灌注液组的酶活性较单纯灌注液组显著提高,A组Na+-K+-ATPase活性(14.93±0.87)μmol/(mg*h)比较(12.17±0.91)μmol/(mg*h),P＜0.05,Ca2+-ATPase活性(11.20±1.07)μmol/(mg*h)比较(7.33±0.56)μmol/(mg*h),P＜0.01;B组Na+-K+-ATPase(14.10±0.51)μmol/(mg*h)比较(10.89±0.76)μmol/(mg*h),P＜0.01,Ca2+-ATPase活性(6.89±0.52)μmol/(mg*h)比较(5.23±0.71)μmol/(mg*h),P＜0.05.结论甲减状态及I/R过程心肌细胞钠钾泵及钙泵功能受到严重损害,T3可显著提高钠钾泵及钙泵功能,可部分逆转I/R过程中泵功能的损害,降低胞浆中Ca2+浓度,减轻心肌细胞的损伤,对心肌保护有益.     

Na+/H+ antiporter activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes of obese and type 2 diabetic patients is increased only in the presence of arterial hypertension

Abstract. The aim of this work is to evaluate whether type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and arterial hypertension, three conditions characterized by the presence of insulin resistance, share some common genetic markers. A potential candidate is the Na⁺/H⁺ anti-porter, the increased activity of which is considered a marker of essential hypertension. This ion exchanger seems to be related to the Na⁺/Li⁺ countertransport, that is considered a marker of insulin resistance in essential hypertension and in type 1 diabetes mellitus. In this study we wished to clarify whether the activity of the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter is increased not only in hypertensive subjects, but also in obese and type 2 diabetic patients, both in the presence and in the absence of arterial hypertension. The activity of the ion exchanger was measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by clamping intracellular pH (pH_i) at 5·8–6·2 and then detecting the rate of the proton efflux after sodium addition. In the absence of arterial hypertension, no significant difference in this parameter was observed in obese and type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with normal subjects. In the presence of arterial hypertension, there was a significant increase in the Na⁺-induced H⁺ efflux at the internal pH (pHi) values of 5·8 and 6·2 both in hypertensive controls and in hypertensive obese and type 2 diabetic patients (P= 0·05–0·0001 vs. normotensive subjects and patients). In particular, H⁺ efflux at pH 5·8 (mmol l^-1 min^-1) was 35·36 ± 2·48 in normotensive and 42·77 ± 1·63 in hypertensive control subjects (P= 0·045), 33·06 ± 1·88 in normotensive and 50·40 ± 5·21 in hypertensive obese patients (P= 0·009), 31·16 ± 1·84 in normotensive and 55·54 ± 5·83 in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients (P= 0·0001). H⁺ efflux showed a significant correlation with both systolic (at pHi 5·8, r = 0·473, P= 0·001; at pHi 6·2, r = 0·357, P= 0·016) and diastolic blood pressure (at pHi 5·8, r = 0·600, P= 0·0001; at pHi 6·2, r = 0·555, P= 0·0001). Therefore, our study demonstrates that the hyperactivity of the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger in peripheral blood lymphocytes is also a marker of arterial hypertension in obesity and in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and that the exchanger activity is not increased in these two conditions in the absence of arterial hypertension.     

Comparative Absorption of Ferri-Haemoglobin-59Fe/Ferro-Haemoglobin-59Fe and 59Fe3+/59Fe2+ in Humans with Normal and Depleted Iron Stores*

Abstract. The intestinal ⁵⁹Fe absorption from ferri- and ferro-haemogIobin-⁵⁹Fe and ⁵⁹Fe³⁺ and ⁵⁹Fe⁺ was calculated from whole body-⁵⁹Fe-retention measurements in subjects with normal and depleted iron stores. A ferri-haemoglobin-⁵⁹Fe/ferro-haemoglobin-⁵⁹Fe absorption ratio of 1.03 ±0.11 was observed for the absorption of ferri-haemoglobin-⁵⁹Fe (8.6± 0.77%) and ferro-haemogIobin-⁵⁹Fe (8.7±0.94%) in persons with normal iron stores. Depletion of iron stores caused a slight but significant higher rise of ferri-haemoglobin-⁵⁹Fe absorption (22 ± 1.7%) than the increase of ferro-haemoglobin-⁵⁹Fe absorption (18 ±0.9%) so that the absorption ratio was 1.24±0.073.—This remarkable iron valence independence of haemoglobin iron absorption is in considerable contrast to the well-established valence dependence of inorganic iron absorption which favours ferrous iron absorption especially with rising iron doses. The ⁵⁹Fe³⁺/⁵⁹Fe²⁺ absorption ratio for a diagnostic 0.56 mg Fe dose increased from 0.43 in subjects with normal iron stores to 0.74 in persons with depleted iron stores, whereas this absorption ratio was augmented only from 0.21 to 0.28 for the therapeutic 50 mg Fe-dose.—The different influence of iron valence on iron absorption from inorganic and haemoglobin iron supports other evidence for the existence of two separate mechanisms for ferrous iron and haem iron absorption in humans.