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Membrane transport of ions in hypertension
1Department of Medicine, University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
Insights
Altered cell membrane properties, including phospholipid fluidity, are linked to hypertension. These changes may predispose susceptible individuals to resistance vessel hypertrophy and high blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cell Membrane Biology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Disturbances in transmembrane cation fluxes and altered membrane properties like fluidity and calcium binding are observed in blood cells of hypertensive patients.
- Inconsistencies in previous research are partly attributed to inadequate patient-control matching, yet differences persist even with careful matching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of altered cell membrane physicochemical properties, specifically phospholipid fluidity, in the development of hypertension.
- To explore the potential mechanisms by which membrane changes contribute to increased peripheral resistance and resistance vessel hypertrophy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transmembrane monovalent and divalent cation fluxes in blood cells.
- Assessment of cell membrane fluidity and calcium binding.
- Examination of phospholipid composition and its impact on membrane properties.
Main Results:
- Consistent alterations in membrane properties, including reduced phospholipid fluidity, are evident in hypertensive individuals.
- Changes in membrane fluidity are associated with increased peripheral resistance, potentially through direct effects on vascular tone or by promoting resistance vessel hypertrophy.
Conclusions:
- Altered cell membrane physicochemical properties, particularly reduced phospholipid fluidity, are implicated in hypertension pathogenesis.
- Overactivity of the phosphoinositide second messenger system, stemming from these membrane alterations, may predispose genetically susceptible individuals to resistance-vessel hypertrophy and hypertension.
Abstract:
A variety of disturbances in transmembrane monovalent and divalent cation fluxes has been described in blood cells from hypertensive patients. Other membrane properties, such as fluidity and calcium binding, are also altered. It is now abundantly clear that some of the inconsistencies in this field are due to poor matching of patients and controls. However, even when careful matching is carried out, differences in membrane functions are still seen. It is suggested that these are due to a disturbance in the physicochemical properties of the cell membrane, related to changes in cell membrane phospholipid fluidity. This change could maintain peripheral resistance either by directly or indirectly increasing tone or by predisposing to resistance vessel hypertrophy. Recent evidence emphasizes the role of the latter rather than the former in experimental hypertension. It is postulated that overactivity of the phosphoinositide second messenger system as a result of alteration in all membrane properties predisposes genetically susceptible individuals to resistance-vessel hypertrophy and hypertension.