Structural and Functional Alterations of Platelet Membrane in Essential Hypertension

Several functions of cell membrane have been reported to be altered in essential and/or experimental hypertension. These include transport systems for various ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, H+, Cr), enzymatic activities, and characteristics of receptors for hormones or neurotransmitters (for review, see [1,2]). These widespread alterations may reflect the adjustment of cell metabolism to high blood pressure, but they may also result either from the interdependent regulatory mechanisms adapting the multiple membrane functions to the cell activity or from an underlying alteration of cell membrane structure.