Internal desynchronization between circadian rhythms of plasma aldosterone and erythrocyte membrane-bound Na/K-ATPase.

Normal-renin essential mesor hypertensives are characterized by a consistent increase in erythrocyte membrane-bound Na/K-ATPase activity. Low-renin essential hypertensives exhibit, in contrast, a lower activity in Na/K-ATPase of cell membranes. This study documents a third disorder characterized by a temporal shift in the rhythmic activity of the erythrocyte membrane-bound Na/K-ATPase in normal-renin hypertensives. The disorder causes the synchronism with the aldosterone circadian rhythm to be invariably lost. The uncoupling phenomenon could be invoked to explain the inversion in the day-night sodium excretion rate found in essential hypertensives. In addition, it suggests that the circadian rhythm in Na/K-ATPase is under the control of cycling factors other than aldosterone.