Alterations in intracellular cations and cell membrane ATPase activity in patients with malignant hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether cellular cation concentrations and cell membrane ATPase activity are altered in patients with malignant hypertension.

DESIGN

Sixteen black patients with malignant hypertension were studied and compared with age- and sex-matched essential hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium concentrations and cell membrane Na,K-ATPase, Ca-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activities were determined in platelets and erythrocytes.

METHODS

Intracellular concentrations of total magnesium and calcium were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and those of sodium and potassium by flame photometry. Cell membrane ATPase activity was measured by a colorimetric method.

RESULTS

The intracellular calcium level was significantly elevated and intracellular magnesium and potassium levels and cell membrane ATPase activity significantly decreased in the hypertensive group. These changes were more marked in patients with malignant hypertension than in patients with benign essential hypertension. In the malignant hypertensive group, mean arterial pressure was negatively correlated with intracellular magnesium and positively correlated with intracellular calcium and sodium levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Cellular cation changes in malignant hypertension may be related to altered transmembrane transport mechanisms and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. These alterations may be more pronounced in the malignant than in the benign phase of hypertension.