title: Human buccal epithelial cells as a potential biochemical predictor of essential hypertension: identification of key cellular processes.
abstract: 1. Human cheek cell Na+/H+ antiporter activity (measured as the rate of proton-dependent 22Na+ uptake) was determined in seven normotensive (NT) and four hypertensive (HT) subjects following preincubation of cheek cells with a low molecular weight fraction isolated from NT saliva together with the ionophore, nigericin. 2. Cheek cells preincubated in this manner exhibited greater Na+/H+ antiporter activity with the mean values being 4.2 nmol Na+.mg protein.5 min for the NT group and 1.7 for the HT group. 3. It is possible that stimulation of Na+ transport is due to cellular accumulation of K+ ions during preincubation which, in the presence of the K+/H+ selective ionophore, nigericin, can cause cellular reacidification promoting further 22Na+ uptake via the Na+/H+ antiporter.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO (Australia), Division of Human Nutrition, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: McMurchie
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Head
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000502:physiology; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002610:Cheek; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007476:Ionophores / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009550:Nigericin / Q000737:chemistry; D012463:Saliva / Q000166:cytology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007476:Ionophores; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D012964:Sodium; D009550:Nigericin