[Erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport and arterial hypertension: data of a cross-sectional population study]

The relation of red blood cell Na+/Li+ countertransport rate to the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) and blood pressure was evaluated in 720 individuals aged 23-60 years. In all age groups, the rate of red blood cell Na+/Li+ countertransport was significantly higher in males than in females. Age, alcohol use, obesity in males and age, obesity, and Na+/Li+ countertransport rate in females are factors that predispose to AH, as evidenced by multivariate logistic analysis. The latter parameter is associated with obesity and diastolic blood pressure and unassociated with age, alcohol use, and smoke, as suggested by regression analysis. The distribution of Na+/Li+ countertransport rate values in the population after standardization for ruling out the impact of obesity is erroneous and shifted to the right. This allows it to be presented as a sum of two normal distributions. However, their analysis has failed to reveal statistically significant differences in blood pressure values of AH incidence. The rate of Na+/Li+ countertransport may be regarded as a biological population risk factor for AH, which is, however, less than such factors as age, obesity, and excessive alcohol use.