title: Elevated cytosolic free calcium concentrations in platelets of hypertensive drinkers: a weak association with alcohol consumption.
abstract: Although the mechanisms of alcohol related hypertension remain unknown, it has been hypothesised that alcohol causes the accumulation of calcium ions (Ca2+) in vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in the elevation of vascular tonus. To evaluate this contention, intra platelet free calcium concentrations (platelet [Ca2+]i) were determined in 20 young adult men, i.e. five each of hypertensive heavy drinkers, hypertensive light drinkers, normotensive heavy drinkers, and normotensive light drinkers. Platelet [Ca2+]i were higher in the ten hypertensives than in the ten normotensives, irrespective of alcohol consumption. The hypertensive drinkers also showed higher levels of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Platelet [Ca2+]i in the total 20 subjects did not correlate with alcohol consumption, but correlated positively with serum gamma-GTP levels and SBP. These preliminary study results do not support the contention that Ca2+ accumulates in the vascular smooth muscle cells of humans as a result of chronic alcohol consumption. The significance of elevated platelet [Ca2+]i observed in the hypertensive heavy drinkers in the pathogenesis of alcohol related hypertension remains obscure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishizaki
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsuritani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ikai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D002118:Calcium