INTRAERYTHROCYTIC 2,3-DIPHOSPHOGLYCERATE CONCENTRATION IN HYPERTENSIVE SUBJECTS BEFORE AND FOLLOWING CONTROL BY ANTI HYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT

Methods. We measured the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate inraerythrocytic conce ntration in 24 normal controls and in 24 hypertensives before and foll owing drug therapy. Results. In hypertensives the 2,3-diphosphoglycera te concentration was higher than that of the controls (14.96 mu mol/g Hb vs 13.26 mu mol/g Hb respectively); the difference is statistically significant (p<0.001). Following control of the hypertension by drug therapy, the 2,3 DPG levels in the patients studied do not seem to dif fer statistically from those of the controls. Conclusions. This may be a consequence of lower cardiac output in hypertension which results t o a lower tissue perfusion, leading to an increased concentration of d eoxygenated haemoglobin in the vein blood. Measurement of 2,3-diphosph oglucerate may prove of value in estimating tissue perfusion in hypert ension.