Erythrocyte cation fluxes in normal and hypertensive human subjects

Intracellular cation concentrations ([Na]i, [K]i) and influxes of 22Na and 86Rb were determined in the erythrocytes of hypertensive and control groups of subjects. In both groups [Na]i showed a positive correlation with frusemide-resistant Na influx and was inversely correlated with ouabain-sensitive Rb influx, whereas [K]i was inversely correlated with frusemide-sensitive Na influx (FSNaI). No significant differences between groups were found in [Na]i, [K]i or frusemide-resistant Na influx. FSNaI was greater in males than females. FSNaI was slightly greater (P less than 0.06) in the hypertensive group, but the significance of the difference diminished with sex-matching. Ouabain-sensitive Rb influx was increased in the hypertensive group.