Effect of albumin on the Na, K-ATPase activity in the rat erythrocytes during immobilization stress

Immobilisation stress (IMS) led to a 42% decrease in erythrocyte Na, K-ATPase activity in rats. Pre-treatment of the "stressed" erythrocytes with human serum albumin (HSA) and 1-day exposition of the HSA prior to the IMS led to stabilising of enzyme activity at the control level. Absence of inhibiting effect of non-protein supernatants of the blood plasma of stressed rats on enzyme activity of normal erythrocytes was shown in presence of the HSA both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of the HSA protective effect on the Na,K-ATPase activity of erythrocytes in the IMS, is discussed.