Heritability of erythrocyte sodium permeability: a possible genetic marker for hypertension

Individuals genetically susceptible to hypertension may have preexisting membrane defects influencing cell sodium permeability. Fourteen Minnesotan families of Northern European descent were selected as having one or both progenitors with either high (HP) or low (LP) erythrocyte sodium permeability. We earlier found that over one-half of the (22)Na(+) influx into HP erythrocytes can be inhibited by micromolar amounts of furosemide, which has no apparent effect on LP erythrocytes. In these families, we find a significant midpoint parent/offspring correlation in the furosemide-sensitive component of erythrocyte (22)Na(+) flux rates (p <0.001). The relationship between parents and children in this metric trait is most consistent with a single locus, 2-allele system with variable expression, which suggests that enhanced furosemide-sensitive (22)Na(+) influx may be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Individuals with HP erythrocytes tend to have increased blood pressure and/or a family history of hypertension. The results were confirmed in these family samples with HP and LP (22)Na(+) influx (mmol/L RBC/hr): 0.404 +/- 0.03 vs 0.232 +/- 0.01 (p < 0.001); systolic blood pressure (mm Hg): 136 +/- 4 vs 108 +/- 4 (p < 0.001); and diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg): 89 +/- 2 vs 69 +/- 2 (p <0.001). These results may help to identify inherited factors involved in salt sensitive hypertension.