Erythrocyte sodium and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in untreated hypertensives and their first degree relatives.

ABSTRACT

In this paper we report the erythrocyte sodium concentration and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in 86 untreated hypertensives and their 77 first degree relatives and also in sex and age matched controls. There was significant increase in erythrocyte sodium both in the hypertensives and their first degree relatives (p < 0.01), whereas Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity was significantly reduced in the study group when compared with controls. The possibility of using these parameters as genetic markers is suggested.