Na+/H+ exchanger
Kuro-o, M.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 54(3): 607-611
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 8904212 Document Number: 469331
Recent investigations have revealed that an enhancement of Na+/H+ exchange activity is a frequently observed ion transport abnormality in hypertensive patients. To test the hypothesis that increased Na+/H+ exchange causes hypertension, we produced transgenic mice overexpressing Na+/H+ exchanger and analyzed their Na+ metabolism and blood pressure. Urinary excretion of water and Na+ was significantly decreased in transgenic mice and systolic blood pressure was elevated after salt loading. The impaired Na+ excretion suggested that the Na+/H+ exchanger overexpressed in the renal tubules increased Na+ reabsorption, which caused a blood pressure elevation by Na+ retention after excessive salt intake. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of Na+/H+ exchanger can be a genetic factor for salt-sensitive hypertension.