The etiology of low renin essential hypertension (LREH) has not been established with certainty, but mineralocorticoid excess has been implicated frequently in its pathogenesis. The finding of several investigators of a normal exchangeable sodium space and extracellular fluid volume, however, does not support this hypothesis. To evaluate the possible role of sodium and water retention in LREH, ...

This review briefly considers the hypothesis that a generous dietary sodium intake contributes to the development or maintenance of essential hypertension. Three lines of evidence are presented that are not mutually exclusive. Epidemiological studies examining sodium intake, prevalence of hypertension, and increases of blood pressure with age provide circumstantial support for the concept that ...

The in ̄uence of soil exchangeable cations and aluminium content on the distribution of various terrestrial gastropods was investigated. Calcium was the most important factor, though aluminium and magnesium content also had some effect. Potassium and sodium had no signi®cant in ̄uence on distribution. The species most sensitive to the factors analysed were Cochlicopa lubrica, Vertigo pygmaea and ...

Recent theoretical considerations have played an important role in advancing our understanding of the physiological mechanisms responsible for perturbing the plasma water sodium concentration ([Na(+)](pw)) in health and disease. Central to these considerations is the original empirical relationship between the [Na(+)](pw) and total exchangeable sodium (Na(e)), total exchangeable potassium (K(e)...

The increase in body weight in congestive heart failure is generally attributed to the retention of sodium and water in the extracellular compartment. Important changes also occur in the intra-cellular space, particularly in the metabolism of potassium. The isotope-dilution technic permits more precise determination of the exchangeable potassium content of the body in congestive failure before ...

We studied total exchangeable sodium, ion transport activity at maximal rate, and erythrocyte Na+ content in response to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition in mild-to-moderate essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function. Twenty-five patients (mean age 56 years, range 40-62 years) who had abnormal red blood cell Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport or red blood cell Li(+)-Na+ countert...