Dissociation of changes in sodium transport in erythrocytes from changes in blood pressure.

There is considerable evidence to suggest that the transport of Na+ ions across cell membranes is reduced in essential hypertension. The contribution of this abnormality to the development of elevated blood pressure remains unknown. We have observed similar abnormalities in erythrocytes from normotensive patients with diabetes mellitus and suggest that they may not be of aetiological significance in hypertension.