Disorders of erythrocyte structure and function in hypertensive patients.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is growing at an alarming rate. Increasing attention is being focussed on the oxidative stress accompanying this disease. In this study we examined the impact of this disease on some parameters of erythrocytes and human blood plasma.

Material/methods: We examined the impact of hypertension on some parameters of erythrocytes and human plasma. The study involved 13 patients with hypertension and 19 healthy subjects. We determined lipid peroxidation, SH groups concentration, antioxidants enzymes activity, ATPase activity, total antioxidant capacity, total cholesterol level and erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

Results: We found an increased level of lipid peroxidation and the concentration of SH groups in membrane proteins in patients with hypertension, and a decrease in the activity of catalase and superoxide dysmutase. No changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase and ATPase activity, level of total antioxidant capacity, total cholesterol level and fluidity of erythrocyte membranes.

Conclusions: These results suggest the existence of an impaired oxidative balance in hypertensive human erythrocytes.