Arginase activity of human erythrocyte ghosts in uremia.

Arginase activity of erythrocyte membrane fragments has been determined in normal subjects and in two groups of uremic patients: 1) those having a blood urea concentration of 100 mgm/100 ml or higher and with an elevated erythrocyte sodium concentration and 2) patients with a blood urea concentration of 100 mgm/100 ml and higher and a normal erythrocyte sodium concentration. No statistically significant difference was detected between the normal subjects and the uremic patients. It is concluded, therefore, that the effect of uremia on the magnesium dependant, Na and K activated adenosine triphosphatase of erythrocyte membranes is not applicable to all enzymes of the erythrocyte.