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Leukocyte ionized calcium and sodium content and blood pressure in humans

R F Bing, A M Heagerty, J A Jackson

    Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
    |June 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Leukocyte ionized calcium correlates with blood pressure in healthy individuals without a family history of hypertension. This link is lost in those with a family history or existing hypertension, suggesting altered calcium handling.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Physiology
    • Cellular Biology

    Background:

    • Elevated intracellular calcium is implicated in hypertension.
    • Leukocyte ionized calcium may serve as a marker for vascular smooth muscle activity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between leukocyte ionized calcium, sodium content, and blood pressure.
    • To compare these parameters in normotensive individuals with and without a family history of hypertension, and in untreated hypertensive patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Measurements of leukocyte ionized calcium, intracellular sodium, and blood pressure.
    • Comparison across three groups: normotensive without family history (n=21), normotensive with family history (n=17), and untreated essential hypertension (n=22).

    Main Results:

    • A significant positive correlation between leukocyte ionized calcium and blood pressure was found only in normotensive subjects without a family history of hypertension (r=+0.73).
    • This correlation was absent in normotensive subjects with a family history and showed a negative trend in hypertensive patients.
    • No correlation was observed between intracellular ionized calcium and sodium content in any group.

    Conclusions:

    • Leukocyte ionized calcium may reflect smooth muscle contractility and correlate with blood pressure in individuals without hypertension risk factors.
    • This relationship is diminished in individuals predisposed to or with hypertension, possibly due to altered calcium handling or other factors.

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