Cation transport across lymphocyte plasma membranes in euthyroid and thyrotoxic men with and without hypokalaemic periodic paralysis

1. To study potassium transport in hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in a model of striated muscle cells, we measured specific [³H]ouabain binding (the number of sodium-potassium pumps), sodium-potassium-pump-mediated (ouabain-sensitive) ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx and sodium-potassium-pump-independent (ouabain-resistant) ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx in lymphocytes in vitro.

2. The subjects comprised euthyroid and thyrotoxic men with hypokalaemic periodic paralysis between attacks, men with uncomplicated thyrotoxicosis, and healthy men matched for age and weight.

3. Thyrotoxic patients, both with and without periodic paralysis, had significantly more lymphocyte sodium-potassium pumps than normal, and a significantly greater sodium-potassium-pump-mediated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx. Antithyroid treatment corrected this defect in patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. Euthyroid patients with cryptogenic periodic paralysis had significantly increased sodium-potassium-pump-mediated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx, but a normal number of sodium-potassium pumps.

4. Only untreated thyrotoxic and euthyroid patients with periodic paralysis showed a significant increase in sodium-potassium-pump-independent ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx (5.2 ± 2.8 and 4.5 ± 1.8 respectively, vs control 2.8 ± 1.0 pmol h⁻¹ 10⁻⁶ cells; mean ± sd; P < 0.001, P < 0.005).

5. We conclude that thyrotoxicosis increases the number and activity of sodium-potassium pumps and facilitates, but is probably not necessary for, periodic paralysis. Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis is associated with an increase in sodium-potassium-pump-independent potassium influx.