Human red cells from prenatal stages of hemopoiesis. Lithium flux components.

Red cells from umbilical cord with increased lithium content were submitted to different experimental conditions in order to study lithium flux components. There appeared three components: First, an ouabain-sensitive component, related to Na+ replacement with Li+ in the primary active Na+/K+ transport system. The magnitude of this fraction is greater than in adults' red cells. Second, an outside sodium-dependent Li+ efflux fraction, corresponding to the Li+/Na+ countertransport system with Vmax and K(m) values of 0.1 (mmol/l cells.h) and 2.58 (mmol/l), respectively. The Na+o-affinity for lithium efflux in this system is greater in neonatal than in adults' red cells. Third, a leak fraction with an equal value to that reported in adults' red cells. Furthermore, the possible non-existence of a bumetanide-sensitive lithium flux fraction was shown in neonatal red cells.