Na+/Mg2+ antiport and Na(+)-independent Mg2+ efflux were investigated in erythrocytes of 41 patients with cystic fibrosis and 26 controls. Na(+)-independent Mg2+ efflux was unchanged in cystic fibrosis, but a significantly increased activity of Na+/Mg2+ antiport was detected (control: 0.16 +/- 0.02, cystic fibrosis: 0.39 +/- 0.06, Mg2+ efflux, mmol/30 min x 1 cells, mean +/- SEM, p < 0.01). An ...