Abstract
The activity of Na+ K+ ATPase in the endothelium and smooth muscle of the aortae of normotensive and hypertensive rats was investigated. The enzyme activity in the endothelium and smooth muscle of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was 2.15 ± 0.48 and 12.98±0.99 respectively. These values were significantly lower (P+ K+ ATPase is coupled to the sodium-potassium pump whose activity affects the functions of other pumps, the results indicate that the development of high blood pressure in the SHR may be related to an alteration in the transport of cations across the cell membrane.