Membrane fluidity of erythrocytes and its modulation by ouabain in essential hypertension--an electron paramagnetic resonance study.

The purpose of the present study was to examine alterations in membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in essential hypertension by means of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and a spin labeling method. In addition, we investigated the effects of ouabain on the fluidity of erythrocytes, and elucidated a possible role of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the regulation of membrane fluidity in hypertension. Erythrocytes obtained from patients with essential hypertension were examined compared with those from age-matched normotensive subjects. The EPR spectra for 5-nitroxide stearate incorporated into erythrocyte membranes were studied. The values of the outer hyperfine splitting and order parameter (S) of the EPR spectra were significantly higher in patients with essential hypertension than in normotensive subjects. This finding shows that the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes might be lower in essential hypertension. Ouabain-loading of erythrocytes decreased the membrane fluidity (S value was increased). The ouabain-induced changes were significantly greater in essential hypertension than in normotensive subjects. These results demonstrate that the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes might be lower in essential hypertension than in normotensive subjects. Furthermore, the membrane fluidity might be highly dependent on the Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in essential hypertension, which would suggest an abnormality in Na(+)-related cellular functions in hypertension.