Inheritence of abnormal erythrocyte sodium counter transport in children of parents with essential hypertension

To assess the rate of sodium-counter transport in healthy offsprings of parents suffering from essential hypertension comparing to those with normotensive parents. And see if this marker could be used as a diagnostic marker in essential hypertension. The study was conducted on 15 offspring of normotensive parents [G1], 15 offspring with one hypertensive parent [G2] and 15 offspring of both essential hypertensive parents [G3]. All groups were between 10-20 years of age and with equal gender distribution. All cases were labeled normotensive after taking detailed history, complete physical examination and laboratory investigations. Lithium efflux and maximum rate [Vmax] of lithium- sodium counter transport [a mode of Na- Na counter transport] was measured in red blood cells. There was a highly significant [p<0.001] increase in lithium efflux at two and four hours and non-significant increase at zero hours, in subjects with family history of essential hypertension as compared to that in normotensive offsprings born of normotensive parents. Increase in Vmax of lithium-sodium counter transport of normotensive offsprings with both essential hypertensive parents was highly significant [P<0.001] than that of normotensive offspring with one hypertensive parent and with both normotensive parents. Lithium efflux and Vmax of sodium counter transport is raised in subjects with family history of essential hypertension as compared to those without family history of hypertension And therefore it can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of hypertension