title: Relevance of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport measurement in essential hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetic nephropathy: a critical review.
abstract: In this review the usefulness of the measurement of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport (Na+/Li+ CT) activity is evaluated. In particular, the association between enhanced erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity and essential hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetic nephropathy is discussed. The conclusion of this review is that elevated erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity is associated with essential hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. A relationship between Na+/Li+ CT activity and diabetic nephropathy is less evident. Despite a significant link of Na+/Li+ CT activity with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, the diagnostic significance of Na+/Li+ CT activity is low. This is due to the large overlap between the results of control subjects and patients. The factors that contribute to this broad range are discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Norren
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thien
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Berden
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Elving
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: De Pont
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017920:Antiporters / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D017920:Antiporters; D015415:Biomarkers; C045885:sodium-lithium countertransporter; D008094:Lithium; D012964:Sodium