Increased red cell content of Zn2+ in essential hypertension

The zinc content in plasma as well as in erythrocytes was studied in 61 patients with untreated essential hypertension. They displayed an intraerythrocytic mean value of Zn2+ of 128.2 micromoles/l intracellular water, which is significantly higher than the corresponding mean of 101.5 micromoles/l from 42 normal persons. In plasma, on the other hand, the mean zinc value of the hypertensive persons was 15.2 micromoles/l plasma, i.e. well within the normal range of plasma Zn2+. Possible mechanisms underlying the elevated red cell zinc level in hypertension are discussed.