Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension and is associated with changes in the cell membrane fatty acid composition and fluidity. As (Na,K)-ATPase is modulated by the surrounding lipid microenvironment, lipid peroxidation could alter the interactions of this enzyme with the membrane components. Thus, modifications in the membrane fatty acid profile will translate into effects on (Na,K)-ATPase activity. Accordingly, a decrease in this enzyme activity has been reported in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between membrane fluidity and fatty acid composition and (Na,K)-ATPase activity in erythrocytes of essential hypertensive patients supplemented with antioxidant vitamins C and E. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 120 men with essential hypertension assigned to receive vitamin C (1 g/day) + E (400 IU/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Measurements included OS related parameters: GSH/GSSG ratio, F2-isoprostanes and antioxidant capacity of plasma, (Na,K)-ATPase activity and erythrocytes membrane fatty acid composition (PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids; SAFA, saturated fatty acids). Associations were assessed by Pearson correlation and the differences by Student t-test (p < 0.05). Supplemented hypertensive patients showed higher activity of (Na,K)-ATPase and proportion of PUFA, and lower blood pressure, OS markers and proportion of SAFA, versus placebo. The activity of (Na,K)-ATPase correlated negatively with the proportion of SAFA, but positively with that of PUFA in both groups. Supplementation with vitamins C + E resulted in decreased OS and increased fluidity and PUFA proportion in the membrane, both of which positively modulate (Na,K)-ATPase activity, accounting for the blood pressure reduction.