Cation transport of red blood cells from hypertensive patients in Japan.

This study was performed to determine whether there is any difference in cation transport of red blood cells from normotensive subjects and hypertensive patients in Japan. Net Na+ efflux and net K+ influx rates were measured in sodium-loaded red cells from 19 normotensive subjects, 22 essential hypertensive patients, and 8 secondary hypertensive patients. The ratio of Na+/K+ net fluxes and the net cation flux rate were compared between these groups. The ratio of Na+/K+ net fluxes was significantly lower in essential hypertensive patients than in normotensive subjects. Parameters such as age, sex, blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone concentration were also examined in 2 groups of essential hypertensive patients, divided on the basis of their Na+/K+ net fluxes. However, there is no significant difference between the groups. These results suggest that the ratio of cation flux is related to hypertension independently of these parameters.