ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the effect of heat and noise on erythrocyte memb rane ATPase activities in pilots during flying. Method Twenty- four pilots per forming bombing for 3h (45～53℃, 122～97dB in the cabin) served as the su bjects . 21 ground personnel served as control (27℃ in the room). Blood samples were t aken from both groups before flying (6:00 a.m), and immediately (12:00 a.m.) and 8h (8:00 p.m.) after flying. Na+-K+ATPase, and Ca2+-Mg2+ATPase activities in erythrocyte membran e were determined with colorimetry. Result The Na+-K+ATPase activity in eryth rocyte membrane at 6:00 a.m.in pilots was higher than that in control group at the s ame time (P<0.01). The Ca2+-Mg2+ATPase activities in erythrocyte membrane at 12:00 a .m. and 8:00 p.m. in pilots were significantly higher, compared with those in co ntrol group at the same time (P<0.01). Conclusion The ATPase values obtained in our study were all within normal range, and the daytim e variation of both groups are the same. Exposure of human body to heat and noi se for long time may be harmful, the higher ATPase activity is, the more catabol ism of ATP will be. ATP exhaustion will lead to Ca2+ overload in erythrocy te thus stiffen the red cell membrane.