Abstract
Increased erythrocyte (RBC) intracellular Na+ and depressed RBC Na+-pump activity (NaPA) occur in adults with essential hypertension (EH). Lithium-Na countertransport (Na influx) has been found to be increased in RBC of normotensive (N) children of hypertensive parents, and may serve as a marker for later EH. To examine whether RBC NaPA (Na efflux) was also associated with parental EH, and perhaps with an increased likelihood of subsequent EH, we assayed ouabain-sensitive 86Rb-uptake in the RBC of 61 N children, 41 with N parents (Group I), and 20 with at least 1 parent with EH (Group II). RBC NaPA was assessed both in plasma from the same subject and in a Krebs buffer. when NaPA was assayed in plasma, values were significantly lower in Group II, 3.07 ± 0.39 (mean ± sem) nmol/mg prot/30 min, compared to Group I, 4.35 ± 0.36 (p<0.03). RBC NaPA assayed in Krebs buffer was not statistically different (2.45 ± 0.48 vs 3.25 ± 0.40 p<0.2) for Groups II and I, respectively). Racial comparisons showed consistent trends (B>W), but no statistical significance. Thus, in a small biracial sample, NaPA was inhibited in N children whose parent(s) had EH. This may prove to be a sensitive marker for adult-onset EH, allowing prospective detection, intervention, and possible prevention of EH.
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Alpert, B., Caldwell, R., Murphy, J. et al. DECREASED ERYTHROCYTE Na+ PUMP ACTIVITY IN NORMOTENSIVE CHILDREN OF HYPERTENSIVE PARENTS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 185 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00115
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00115