[Intracellular electrolytes in hypertension]

The present-day concepts of the role of intracellular electrolytes in the pathogenesis of hypertonic disease are summarized. Attention is drawn to the statement gaining a name during the last several years that Na+ concentration in the cells of the readily excitable tissues, including the vascular smooth-muscular cells, is enhanced because of the disorders in its active transmembranous transport. The same changes have been observed also in erythrocytes and leukocytes of the patients with hypertonic disease. In that aspect, the problem of the three main mechanisms of active transportation of Na+ through the cellular membrane is discussed. The problem of the dependence of vascular tone on the increased intracellular sodium concentration is also discussed.