Decreased [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+] pump activity in the erythrocyte membrane due to malondialdehyde in rheumatoid arthritis: an in vivo and in silico study

• Published in: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology 2022-10, Vol.100 (10), p.968
• Main Authors: Ogul, Yasemin, Gur, Fatma, Gur, Bahri, Cengiz, Mustafa, Sari, Refik Ali, Kiziltunc, Ahmet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aldehydes; Cell membranes; Erythrocytes; Health aspects; Physiological aspects; Potassium in the body; Rheumatoid arthritis; Sodium in the body
• ISSN: 0008-4212; 1205-7541
• DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2022-0171

Apart from demonstrating the interaction behavior of malondialdehyde (MDA)with [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase using in silico, the current study aims to investigate the effect of rheumatoid arthritis-related oxidative stress on [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase activity that is present in the erythrocyte cell membrane, which is rich in proteins vulnerable to damage from MDA and other free radicals. The target population of this study consists of 28 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 20 healthy volunteers whose MDA levels and [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase activity were determined. It was shown that MDA levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients increased (p < 0.001) and their [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase activity noticeably decreased when compared to those of healthy individuals. Also, according to this in silico modeling, MDA decreased [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase activity in line with the correlation analyses. Consequently, while elevated levels of MDA in the rheumatoid arthritis group were suggestive of oxidative stress, a decreased [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase-activity led us to speculate that the cellular membrane had sustained injury. Therefore, our results could be useful in explaining how MDA affects [Na.sup.+]/[K.sup.+]-ATPase activity in the interior of a specific molecular pathway.