The exchange of C14 glucose across the membrane of the human erythrocyte

We have measured the equilibrium efflux of C14 labeled glucose across the cell membrane of the human erythrocyte under conditions when glucose was present in equal concentrations on both sides of the cell membrane, and also the net efflux of C14 labeled glucose from glucose‐loaded cells into a large extracellular environment that contained no glucose. A method of ultrafiltration through millipore filter discs was developed to obtain samples of medium during the loss of cell isotope to a medium free of isotope. Fluxes with half times as low as five seconds could be determined accurately and reproducibly. With this method we have extended the observations of other workers down to glucose concentrations of 0.03 M and found as others had previously that the half time for tracer exchange would decrease with a decrease in the equilibrium glucose concentrations. Further, by measuring equilibrium fluxes and maximal net fluxes of cells from the same blood sample, we have obtained evidence that the carrier laden with glucose is transported more rapidly than the free carrier.