Distribution of sodium and potassium within individual human erythrocytes by pulsed-laser vaporization in a sheath flow.

Simultaneous determination of the amounts of Na and K inside single human erythrocytes was accomplished by laser vaporization and monitoring the atomic emission produced. By using a modified sheath-flow arrangement, detection of 8 fg (0.35 fmol) of Na is possible with one laser pulse. By using Poisson statistics, one can obtain single-cell information even when multiple cells are vaporized per laser pulse. The intracellular contents for a given individual were found to vary significantly. The +/- 55% and +/- 155% variations for Na and K, respectively, cannot be explained by changes in cell volume. There is only a weak correlation between the Na and K contents in single cells. The results reflect the age distribution of erythrocytes in the sample. Presumably, the enzymes regulating ion transport lose their activities in the older cells.