[Cation exchanges in erythrocytes. Application to the study of the mechanism and prevention of diseases (author's transl)].

Cation exchanges through the erythrocyte membrane are modified in essential arterial hypertension, endogenous manic-depressive or unipolar psychoses and familial obesity. Observations in hypertensive patients suggest that membrane transport alterations, which are of genetic origin, most probably play a part in the mechanism of diseases, being an inborn phenomenon expressing noxious environmental factors. They may also be used to identify individuals with genetic predisposition to these diseases.