Study on Conformational Changes in Hemoglobin Protoporphyrin in Essential Hypertension

Changes in protoporphyrin conformation, partial pressures of O₂ and CO₂, and the mechanisms responsible for regulation of pCa and pH in erythrocytes were studied in essential hypertension (EH). Changes in protoporphyrin conformation in EH were accompanied by a decrease in the partial pressure of O₂ and an increase in the partial pressure of CO₂. This was associated with increased activities of Na⁺/H⁺-exchange and Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺-channels and with a decreased activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase. The changes in protoporphyrin conformation in EH are suggested to decrease the efficiency of O₂ metabolism in hemoglobin and increase the values of intracellular pCa and pH of erythrocytes.