Increased acylphosphatase levels in erythrocytes from hyperthyroid patients.

Acylphosphatase activity and content were measured in erythrocytes from hyperthyroid patients and healthy controls. In addition, the soluble enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, and the membrane bound (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were assayed. Our results confirmed previous studies indicating a decrease of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and an increase of Ca2+-ATPase activity in hyperthyroid erythrocytes. While glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was not significantly changed, hexokinase and acylphosphatase activities were significantly higher in the hyperthyroid group. Both activities and content of acylphosphatase returned to normal levels in erythrocytes from treated patients, when they were euthyroid. These findings suggest that an excess of thyroid hormones may stimulate acylphosphatase biosynthesis in erythroid cells and indicate a potential clinical usefulness of this enzyme in hyperthyroidism.