Membrane cholesterol is a better predictor of Na+/K+-ATPase activity than serum cholesterol in hypothyroid patients.

Dr. Biplab Biswas; Dr. Satwika Sinha; Dr. Kaushik Kar; Dr. Anindya Dasgupta

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

Membrane cholesterol is a better predictor of Na+/K+-ATPase activity than serum cholesterol in hypothyroid patients.

Dr. Biplab Biswas, Dr. Satwika Sinha, Dr. Kaushik Kar, Dr. Anindya Dasgupta

Abstract :

Background: Dyslipidemia is a major complication of hypothyroidism. Thyroid deficiency alters the memane function also. The present study was aimed to assess the predictive role of memane cholesterol on RBC memane sodium pump activity in comparison to serum cholesterol level.

Methods: In a hospital based cross sectional observational study, serum TSH, fT4, total cholesterol, LDLc and HDLc were measured in 50 hypothyroid cases and 50 control subjects using spectrophotometric techniques. RBC mmane cholesterol and Na+/K+–ATPase were assayed by chloroform extraction method and kinetic assay method respectively.

Results: Na+/K+–ATPase activity and memane cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in the hypothyroid group with significantly increased total cholesterol and LDLc levels (P<.001). Multiple linear regression analysis suggested a direct dependence of Na+/K+–ATPase activity on memane cholesterol level only in the hypothyroid group.

Conclusion: Memane cholesterol levels are directly linked to the optimal functioning of the Na+/K+–ATPase pump in biomemanes. Excessive reduction in memane cholesterol levels may hamper its activity to subnormal level.