Characterization of Mg2+ efflux from human, rat and chicken erythrocytes

Net Mg2+ efflux from Mg2+-loaded, human, rat and chicken erythrocytes was measured in sucrose, NaCl and choline Cl medium. Thus, Na+-dependent (NaCl minus choline Cl) and Na+-independent Mg2+ efflux (in sucrose) were determined. Na+-dependent Mg2+ efflux amounted to 0.16, 8.9 and 1.57 mmol/l cells x 30 min, Na+-independent Mg2+ efflux amounted to 0.89, 1.55 and 0.37 mmol/l cells x 30 min for human, rat and chicken erythrocytes. Na+-dependent Mg2+ efflux was inhibited by quinidine. Na+-independent Mg2+ efflux was inhibited by SITS and Cl-. A small fraction of Na+-independent Mg2+ efflux (in choline Cl) was resistant to SITS and Cl-. Ca2+ loading increased Mg2+ efflux similar to K+ efflux (Gardos effect). This effect was differently expressed in human and chicken erythrocytes.