Increased membraneous calcium concentrations in primary hypertension: a causal link to pathogenesis?

Abstract

Background: Disturbance in calcium metabolism has been suggested in the pathogenesis of hypertension, however, membrane calcium content in humans has not been studied in detail yet in primary hypertension. We compared plasma, intracellular and membrane calcium concentrations in erythrocytes of patients with essential hypertension and in healthy, normotensive control subjects to determine a possible alteration of membrane calcium in primary hypertension. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-four never treated patients with essential hypertension were included and 34 healthy, age-and sex-matched volunteers served as controls. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for measurement of intracellular and membrane calcium content in erythrocytes and plasmalemmal preparations. Results: Plasma and intracellular Ca ++ concentrations

Serum calcium level in hypertension

“…The present study shows no significant difference in serum calcium in hypertensive group compared with normotensive group which is consistent with the findings of Kosch et al . [11] However the results are contradictory with that of others[512] who reported a significant decrease in serum calcium in patients’ with essential HTN compared with normotensive subjects. Serum calcium levels were significantly decreased in both males and females with essential HTN and their first-degree relatives when compared with the normotensive controls.…”

Serum calcium levels in patients with essential hypertension and their first degree relatives

“…Reichel et al (9) also reported reduced calcium in males with elevated diastolic blood pressure. However, Kosch et al (10) did not find any change in serum calcium levels in hypertensives. In the present study the serum calcium levels in firstdegree relatives were also significantly lower when compared with controls.…”

Changes in Myocardial Blood Supply during Experimental Hypertension Treated with Verapamil in Rabbits

“…Calcium antagonists reducing vascular tone [2,[8][9][10] and blood pressure [3,6,11,12] are widely used in medical practice as antihypertensive drugs. However, their effects are systemic.…”