Sodium-potassium pump activity in white blood cells from children with an increased risk of developing hypertension—The Odense Schoolchild Study

Abstract

Hansen HS, Nielsen JR, Pedersen KE, Johansen T, Klitgaard NA, Hyldebrandt N, Froberg K. Sodium-potassium pump activity in white blood cells from children with an increased risk of developing hypertension–The Odense Schoolchild Study. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1993; 53: 57-65.

We have measured the capacity of the sodium-potassium pump, as assessed by ⁸⁶rubidium uptake and the number of [³H]-ouabain binding sites on white blood cells, in children aged 9-11 years, partly cross-sectionally and partly longitudinally after a physical training programme.

Children from a hypertensive subgroup comprising the upper 5% of the blood pressure distribution and children from a randomly selected normotensive subgroup were eligible for the study.

In the cross-sectional study 40 children from the hypertensive subgroup and 40 children from the normotensive subgroup were evaluated. A significant increase in ⁸⁶rubidium uptake was present in boys as compared to girls. After adjustment for differences in sexual maturation the observed significant difference disappeared. Important correlates of pump activity were height, plasma glucose, and physical fitness.

In the training study 10 boys from the hypertensive subgroup and 10 boys from the normotensive subgroup were also evaluated after eight months of physical training. A significant fall in ⁸⁶rubidium uptake was observed. No control group was examined and probably the changes reflect some effects of sexual maturation on cation handling of cells.

These results indicate a significant effect of sexual maturation in capacity of sodium-potassium pump in children.

Key Words:

• rubidium uptake
• ouabain binding sites
• white blood cells
• physical training
• blood pressure
• children