Cation transport in erythrocytes of some uremic patients is impaired. Most studies have focused on the defect of the erythrocyte Na+/K+ pump in these diseased states. Herein, this cation transport defect was studied by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) which is a non-invasive method permitting study on living erythrocytes. Firstly, we verified that the Na+ transport defect in uremic erythrocytes was not due to non-specific causes such as membrane alteration or a modification of the intracellular metabolism. The proton relaxation data, determined using a paramagnetic doping method, are consistent with a lack of erythrocytic membrane damage in uremic patients. Also, 31P-NMR results showed that in our experimental conditions, uremic and normal erythrocytes exhibit similar variations of ATP level over time. Lastly, the use of anionic paramagnetic shift reagent in 23Na-NMR revealed a defect in the Na+/K+ pump of erythrocytes from uremic patients with high Nain concentration. This defect seems to be due to a reduced number of pump units and to the presence of an endogenous inhibitor in uremic plasma.