Na(+)-H+ exchanger and its role in essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Care. 1991 Jun;14(6):521-35. doi: 10.2337/diacare.14.6.521.

Abstract

The Na(+)-H+ exchanger is a ubiquitous transport system that is involved in the regulation of intracellular pH, cell growth and proliferation, cell volume regulation, and transepithelial absorption of Na+, Cl-, and HCO3-. Altered activity of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger has been implicated as a mechanism contributing to the development of high blood pressure in subgroups of patients with essential hypertension and in various animal models of hypertension. Many of these studies measured Na(+)-Li+ exchange rather than Na(+)-H+ exchange, hypothesizing that Na(+)-Li+ exchange represents a functional mode of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger. However, this is a controversial assumption. Several studies have also shown an association between erythrocyte Na(+)-Li(+)-exchange rate and predisposition to nephropathy in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The recent cDNA cloning of at least one isoform of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger will help clarify the cellular mechanisms of regulation of the exchanger and its possible role in pathophysiological states such as hypertension.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / physiopathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Hypertension / physiopathology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers