Determination of activity of Ca2+-dependent K+-channels in red blood cellsin arterial hypertension: Potential method of differential diagnosis

Activity of Ca2+-dependent K+-channels in erythrocytes was measured by pote ntiometer with the use of a K+-selective electrode. Activity of K+-channels was determined as an initial velocity of K+ efflux from Ca2+ loaded cells after addition of a calcium ionofore A23187 into (Na+/K+) medium. The metho d was applied to measurement of activity of K+ channels in erythrocytes fro m normotensive (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive rats, as well as from heal thy donors (HD) and patients with essential or symptomatic hypertension. In patients with essential hypertension activity of K+ channels was significa ntly higher than in healthy persons or patients with symptomatic hypertensi on. There were significant correlations between activity of K+ channels and some clinical and biochemical parameters. As the method of registration of activity of Ca2+-dependent K+-channels in erythrocytes is simple and sensi tive it can be proposed for the purpose of differential diagnosis of arteri al hypertension.