A case with Bartter's syndrome associated with type II hyperlipidemia, increased fluidity of plasma VLDL and abnormal configuration of peripheral erythrocytes (author's transl)

Abstract

A 34-year-old female complaining of numbness and weakness of the extremities was examined. Consanguineous marriage was contracted between mother and father. She was of short stature (149 cm), and her blood pressure was normal (118/60 mmHg). Her serum potassium concentration had decreased to a level between 2.5 and 3.2 mEq/L, and hypokalemic alkalosis was present. Potassium clearance had increased and urinary concentrating capacity was impaired. Plasma renin activity was high at 25 ng/ml/hr but plasma aldosterone concentration was normal. Hypertensive response to angiotensin II (50 ng/kg/min) was weak but improved to nearly the normal value after the administration of indomethacin for 17 days at a dose of 50 mg/day. A slight elevation in blood pressure was observed during the infusion of norepinephrine (250 ng/kg/min). A decrease in blood pressure was observed during the infusion of 1-sarcosine, 8-isoleucine angiotensin II (600 ng/kg/min) with concomitant increase of plasma renin activity. Twenty-four hour urinary excretion of prostaglandin E decreased somewhat (225 approximately 252 ng/day), and hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular cells and increased JG index were demonstrated in the biopsy specimens of the right kidney. From the findings, the present case were diagnosed as Bartter's syndrome. Although mild enlargement of the sella turcica was found in skull x-ray films, no abnormalities in pituitary function were demonstrated. Other unusual complications, i.e. hyperlipidemia (type II, beta-dominant) and abnormal configuration of peripheral erythrocytes, were demonstrated. Phospholipid composition of the erythrocyte membrane was normal. The fluidity of plasma VLDL examined by electron spin resonance was increased. Hypokalemia and hyperreninemia were improved through the administration of indomethacin. However, because of headache as an adverse effect, further administration could not be accepted. The patient's complaints were resolved by the rectal application of indomethacin with oral administrations of spironolactone and triamterene. Changes in serum lipid levels did not occur with the above mentioned treatment. alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate lowered the levels of serum lipids and normalized the configuration of peripheral erythrocytes. But increased fluidity of plasma VLDL remained, and phospholipid composition of erythrocyte membrane was also unchanged. The relationship between the rare complications mentioned above and the pathophysiology of Bartter's syndrome is still obscure.