Differences in renal tubular Na-K-adenosine triphosphatase in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats

Na-K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in seven specific renal tubular segments of 8-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was compared with age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Systolic blood pressure in 8-week-old SHR were significantly higher than in age-matched WKY. Na-K-ATPase activity in proximal convoluted tubule and outer and inner medullary collecting ducts was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY. On the other hand, medullary thick ascending limbs had reduced Na-K-ATPase activity in SHR. The possible role of the abnormal pattern of renal tubular Na-K-ATPase in the development of hypertension in SHR remains to be determined.