A B S T R A C T To evaluate the effects of saline loading on distal sodium reabsorption in hypertensive man, studies were performed during both water deprivation and water diuresis in eight hypertensive subjects, and the results were compared to data obtained from similar studies in normal subjects. All hypertensive patients exhibited an enhanced excretion of filtered sodium (Ca/CIn) at any level of distal delivery of sodium compared to normal controls. Free water reabsorption (TCH2o) during hypertonic saline loading was quantitatively abnormal in the hypertensives at high levels of osmolar clearance (Co.m), and also the curve of TCHIo vs. Co.m leveled off above a Co.m of 18 ml/min per 1.73 m' in the hypertensive group in contrast to the normal controls in whom TCH,0o showed no evidence of achieving an upper limit. Sodium depletion exaggerated the abnormality in T'Ho in hypertensives, and resulted in a positive free water clearance (CH2o) during hydropenia.During hypotonic saline loading in water diuresis, changes in free water clearance per 100 ml of glomerular filtrate (CIo0/CI.) were less at any given increment in urine flow per 100 ml of glomerular filtrate (V/CG.) in the hypertensives compared to normal controls (P < 0.001). This abnormality in CH2o/CI. in the hypertensives in conjunction with the defect in T'H2o observed during hydropenia indicates that sodium reabsorption in the loop of Henle was abnormal at any given rate of distal delivery of sodium in hypertension. Furthermore, these abnormalities in TCH2o and CH20 coincided temporally with the development of the exaggerated natriuresis. Although the distal defect in sodium transport, in large part, accounted for the augmented natriuresis in hyperThis work was presented in part at the 1st Annual Meeting of the