RED-CELL ION-TRANSPORT ABNORMALITIES IN EXPERIMENTAL-HYPERTENSION

The original attractive hypothesis on the important role of elevated c ell Na+ concentration in the pathogenesis of hypertension stimulated a search for generalized membrane defects and ion transport abnormaliti es in various easily accessible cells including erythrocytes. An attem pt is made here to compare this hypothesis with the data on red cell i on transport alterations that were observed in experimental hypertensi on over the last 15 years. Several methodological (presence of extrace llular Na+ in incubation media, kinetic approach to the evaluation of transport systems) and physiological problems (potassium depletion, ag e-dependent changes) are discussed in more detail because they can sub stantially modify the results obtained. Available data suggest a possi ble contribution of augmented Na+ leak to the development of both gene tic and salt-dependent experimental hypertension. The role of alterati ons in the activity of the Na+-K+ pump or the Na+-K+ cotransport syste m still remains unclear.