Influence of nebivolol on endothelial dysfunction in salt-sensitive hypertension

The study was aimed to assess influence of nebivolol (nebilet) on endothelial factors (NO and endothelin1) during treatment of salt-sensitive hypertensive patients. A total of 40 patients (18 females and 22 males, mean age 53,1+/-1,58 yrs) with mild (I stage) arterial hypertension (with diastolic pressure 90-99 mm Hg and/or systolic pressure 140-159 mm Hg) were studied. Twelve age matched healthy subjects (4 women and 8 males) composed control group. Salt sensitivity was detected by M. Weir (1993) method. Patients were divided in two groups: salt sensitive hypertension (group I, 16 patients) and salt-resistant hypertension (group II, 24 patients). Nebivolol (Nebilet, Berlin-Chemie, Germany) was administered to 25 patients in dosage of 5 mg once a day during two weeks. Our studies have showed that ET-1 plasma levels were significantly elevated in patients with essential hypertension, while NO was markedly reduced compared to control group. NO levels were slightly lower in salt-sensitive hypertensives than in salt-resistant patients (p>0,05). ET-1 levels expressed opposite changes: in patients with salt-sensitive hypertension ET-1 levels almost twice exceeded those of salt-resistant patients (p<0,01). After treatment with nebivolol NO plasma level in salt-sensitive hypertensives significantly increased in Group I and did not change significantly in salt-resistant patients. Only slight decrease in ET-1 levels was detected in both groups after taking nebilet. Nebilet (nebivolol) treatment has an influence only on NO levels and appears to be the most effective in salt-sensitive hypertension.