Cytoplasmic Free [Ca2+] is Increased in the Platelets of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Essential Hypertensive Patients

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Abstract
The cytoplasmic free Ca concentration ([Ca2+]i) was assessed with the fluorescent dye Quin 2 in platelets and lymphocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), essential hypertensive patients (EHP) and normotensive human control subjects (NCS). [Ca2+]i was significantly higher in the platelets of 8- and 20-wk-old SHR in comparison with WKY. However, no difference was evident after weaning. Changes of cellular Ca in hypertensive rats apparently evolved simultaneously with the development of high arterial pressure. [Ca2+]i was significantly higher in platelets of EHP than in NCS. In lymphocytes of SHR, [Ca2+]i was not different from WKY at 4 and 8 wk, but was increased at 14 wk and at older ages. In EHP, intralymphocytic [Ca2+] was only modestly higher than in controls. Results suggest that control of cytoplasmic Ca in these blood cells is similarly affected in human and animal models of primary hypertension.