Studies on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors associated with blood pressure in female adolescents. Family score for hypertension and erythrocyte membrane Na-K ATPase activity.

Abstract

In order to investigate the predisposition for essential hypertension, a population-based study was carried out in 63 female adolescents. In 35 adolescents with a positive family history of hypertension (the FH (+) group) defined by Williams's family scoring method, both urinary creatinine adjusted sodium concentration and sodium-potassium ratio (Na/K) were significantly lower (p<0.05), and serum total cholesterol was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the values of the FH (-) group. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was recognized between urinary Na/K and Na-K ATPase activity of the erythrocyte membrane (p<0.05), and between the body mass index and blood pressure (p<0.05 for systolic blood pressure and p<0.01 for diastolic blood pressure), were observed in the FH (+) group, but not in the FH (-) group. The authors discuss these significant correlations in terms of family scores for hipertension.