title: Increased cytosolic free calcium in red blood cells is associated with essential hypertension in humans.
abstract: Intracellular free calcium (Cai2+) was measured in human red blood cells (RBCs) using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probe, fluo-3. Fresh RBCs were loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester of fluo-3 (fluo-3-AM) in vitro. Following incubation at 37 degrees C for 60 min, cells were separated from nonincorporated fluo-3-AM and fluo-3. Fluorescence was quantified with excitation and emission wavelengths of 506 nm and 526 nm, respectively. The relatively long wavelength characteristics of fluo-3 avoid much of the interference from hemoglobin that makes agents such as quin-2 and fura-2 of limited value in RBCs. A protocol with corrections for quenching and for extracellular fluo-3 was employed for each sample. Cai2+ in red blood cells from 15 normotensive volunteers averaged 134 +/- 12 nmol/L. In RBCs from 30 hypertensive patients who were not treated pharmacologically, Cai2+ was 317 +/- 32 nmol/L (P < .05). In a group of 27 hypertensives who were treated with various drugs, RBC Cai2+ was 221 +/- 27 nmol/L. Measurements were also performed in RBCs from 16 patients before and at least 2 weeks following treatment with one or more antihypertensive agents. Reduction of RBC Cai2+ from 342 +/- 47 to 252 +/- 39 (P < .001) was observed in 16 patients whose blood pressure fell with treatment. Overall, there was a correlation between RBC Cai2+ and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.413, P < .01, d.f. = 71). Thus, the present results confirm an association between elevated RBC Ca2+ and essential hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: VA Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98108.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindner
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D014966:Xanthenes
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014966:Xanthenes; C059715:Fluo-3; D002118:Calcium