RED-BLOOD-CELL SODIUM-LITHIUM COUNTERTRANSPORT IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL AND RENAL-HYPERTENSION

The erythrocyte Na+/Li+-countertransport activity was studied in patie nts with essential hypertension (n = 59), chronic glomerulonephritis ( n = 30) chronic pyelonephritis (n = 26), renovascular hypertension (n = 35) and pheochromocytoma (n = 3). The erythrocyte Na+/Li+-countertra nsport (SLC) activity was on average higher (p < 0.02) in the patients with essential hypertension as compared to those with secondary hyper tension, although a clear distinction between both groups was not poss ible. After surgical treatment of the patients with atherosclerotic re nal artery stenosis, fibromuscular dysplasia or pheochromocytoma, no c hange in erythrocyte SLC activity was observed However, blood pressure was significantly reduced.