Cross-sectional survey of intralymphocytic and serum elements in hypertensive patients

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of some common an d trace elements in both serum and lymphocyte in patients with essential hy pertension and to analyse their possible role in the pathogenesis of hypert ension. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 102 hypertensive patient s matched with equal number of normotensive subjects by sex, age, and hyper tensive family history; all of them were randomly selected from the same co mmunity. Both intralymphocytic and serum concentrations of some relevant el ements including Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ and P were measured for al l studied subjects, using the inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICPS ). Results 1. Both intralymphocytic and serum concentrations of Na+ (P = 0. 00 9, 0. 004 respectively), and Ca2+ (P = 0. 001, 0. 049 respectively) in hype rtensive group were significantly higher than those in the normotensives. 2 . Stepwise regression analysis disclosed that systolic and diastolic blood pressure had significant correlation with age, serum Na+/K+ ratio and intra lymphocytic Ca2+, Mg2+ concentrations (P < 0.001 for both). 3. According to hypertensive family history, the method of multiple variance analysis had been employed for 4 subgroups and the results revealed that the concentrati ons of serum Ca2+ and lymphocytic Na+ were significantly higher in hyperten sives with or without family history than in normotensives without family h istory. Furthermore, intralymphocytic Na+ concentration was significantly h igher in normotensives with positive family history than that in normotensi ves without family history. Conclusion The serum and intralymphocytic distribution characteristics of e lements in hypertensive patients compared with normotensive controls sugges ted that there might exist certain defects of the ion-transporting system o n cell membrane which might be genetically linked.