Serum Electrolytes and Red Blood Cell Membrane Potential of Hypertensive Patients
Nwadike Constance *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Nosiri Chidi Ijeoma
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
Eze Adindu
Department of Biochemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Onyeabo Chimaraoke
Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
Ezekwe Ahamefula Sunday
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Onyejiekwe Catherine
Department of Biochemistry, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Serum electrolyte and red blood cell membrane potential of hypertensive patients in Owerri metropolis were investigated. A total of 50 volunteer subjects were used for the study. Thirty (30) of the volunteer subjects were hypertensive subjects and were used as test subjects; while the remaining 20 subjects were healthy subjects with normal blood pressure used as normentensive subjects (control). Results observed showed increased red blood cell (RBC) K+ and Cl- in hypertension subjects against normentensive subjects. Apart from K+ which reduced significantly (p<0.05), other electrolyte ions of the serum increased significantly (p<0.05) in hypertensive subjects against normentensive subjects. However, Na+ and Cl- membrane potential was not significantly (p>0.05) altered in hypertensive subjects against normotensive subjects while K+ was significantly (p<0.05) altered. The observed alterations in the parameters investigated in hypertensive subjects in the present study could be as a result of a host of derangements involving electrolyte metabolism, altered membrane transport and a possible increase in membrane fragility. This study has shown the serum electrolyte and red blood cell membrane potential of hypertensive patients in Owerri metropolis.
Keywords: Electrolyte, hypertensive patients, membrane potential, red blood cell.