Sodium Chloride and Essential Hypertension

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Abstract
To the Editor: The data of Kurtz et al. (Oct. 22 issue) 1 support the view2 3 4 that chloride, as well as sodium, is required to increase plasma volume and raise blood pressure. In an accompanying editorial,5 Weinberger states that "the mechanism whereby changes in extracellular fluid volume were induced with sodium chloride, but not with sodium citrate, is not clear." The mechanism does seem clear, however, because "the major salt whose intake and excretion regulates ECF [extracellular fluid] volume is sodium chloride."6 The expansion of plasma volume requires the presence of appropriate anions, as well as cations, that can be retained . . .