Increased sodium permeability of erythrocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. The Na permeability of red cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) has been studied. In the Japanese Wister-Kyoto strain, a significant increase of 30% in 22Na influx for male SHR was found compared with normotensive male controls. In contrast the Na influx for genetically hypertensive and normotensive New Zealand rats did not differ. Normotensive Wister-Kyoto rats rendered hypertensive by unilateral renal artery clipping, did not show any difference in Na influx from control animals. 2. These results suggest that the Japanese strain of SHR has a genetically determined increase in erythrocyte Na permeability.