Abnormal sodium transport in leucocytes from patients with essential hypertension and the effect of treatment.

1. In seventeen patients with untreated essential hypertension the sodium and water contents of leucocytes were significantly increased, whereas the rate constant for ouabain-sensitive sodium efflux was significantly reduced. 2. These abnormalities were not found in fourteen other patients with well-controlled hypertension. 3. Preliminary observations in accelerated hypertension suggest a different pattern of abnormality in leucocyte sodium metabolism.