Kinetic characteristics of the erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransporter in black normotensive subjects compared with three other ethnic groups

Abstract

Sodium-lithium countertransport activity has been proposed as a marker for hypertension and is lower in black compared to Caucasian subjects both with and without vascular disease. The question arises of what is the primary kinetic locus of the altered behaviour of the countertransporter in black subjects and whether this is also seen in normotensive subjects from other non-Caucasian ethnic groups.We The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the subjects were similar in all four ethnic groups. Minor differences noted were: significantly higher mean height, weight and serum creatinine concentration (P Ͻ 0.001) and significantly lower plasma triglyceride concentration (P = 0.02) in the black compared to the other