Phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, a major control mechanism of cellular function, was studied in erythrocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After 32p (inorganic phosphate) incorporation in intact cells, release of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol bisphosphate (IP2) from membrane fractions was measured in SHR with or without prior Ca2+ stimulation. The present study revealed an increase of Ca2(+)-stimulated IP3 release in SHR, suggesting high polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase activity in this model of hypertension.