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The erythrocyte sodium-potassium cotransport in hypertensive patients: advantages and limitations
The Na-K cotransport activity was measured in erythrocytes of 123 normotensive and 92 hypertensive patients, using the methodology described by Dagher and Garay. Large overlap of the values obtained in the two populations is observed, in such a way this laboratory test cannot be applied for the discrimination between primary and secondary hypertension. Moreover, the abnormalities described for the Na-K cotransport do not appear specific for primary hypertension. In this study, the influence of hypertensive heredity, but also obesity on this cotransport system could not be demonstrated. However, this transport activity is significantly decreased in patients with chronic renal failure, during treatment with oestro-progestatives or during the oestrogenic phase of the menstrual cycle. These data strongly suggest that the cotransport activity could be modified not only by the hypertensive familial predisposition but also by environmental and hormonal influences.
The Na-K cotransport activity was measured in erythrocytes of 123 normotensive and 92 hypertensive patients, using the methodology described by Dagher and Garay. Large overlap of the values obtained in the two populations is observed, in such a way this laboratory test cannot be applied for the discrimination between primary and secondary hypertension. Moreover, the abnormalities described for the Na-K cotransport do not appear specific for primary hypertension. In this study, the influence of hypertensive heredity, but also obesity on this cotransport system could not be demonstrated. However, this transport activity is significantly decreased in patients with chronic renal failure, during treatment with oestro-progestatives or during the oestrogenic phase of the menstrual cycle. These data strongly suggest that the cotransport activity could be modified not only by the hypertensive familial predisposition but also by environmental and hormonal influences.