Some evidence for aldosterone action on 2,3-diphosphoglycerate level in human red cells

In healthy male subjects aldosterone excretion and plasma renin activity were reduced by a 4–6 hr head-out immersion in thermoindifferent water baths (35.5 ± 0.1°C). The red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) concentration before and throughout immersion period was positively correlated both with aldosterone excretion in 2 hr pooled urine ( r = +0.69; 2 p < 0.001) and with renin activity ( r = +0.54; 2 p < 0.001) despite a concomitant increase of cubital venous pH and inorganic phosphate concentration. These findings furnish evidence for a regulatory role of aldosterone in DPG metabolism, possibly by a direct influence on red cell glycolysis.