Evidence of lowered plasma membrane potential in different cell types in primary hypertension

Basal electric potential in the plasma membrane of synaptosomes and platelets as well as the membrane potential in erythrocytes is lower in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive animals. Similar potential alterations have been found in platelets and erythrocytes of essential hypertensive patients. The reduction of the basal component of the transmembrane potential in synaptosomes and platelets in primary hypertension is partially or entirely compensated by an increase of its electrogenic component as a result of an enhanced activity of Na+K(+)-ATPase. In erythrocytes of patients with renal hypertension and in Cushing's syndrome no alterations of membrane potential are observed.