[Concentration of elements in plasma of patients with essential hypertension]

Disturbances in macro- and microelements composition may play a significant role in the development of essential hypertension. The aim of the study was to estimate main and trace elements concentration in plasma of hypertensive patients. The study involved 150 subjects, aged 33-60 years, who were allotted into 2 groups: I--50 clinically healthy subjects (controls), II--100 patients with arterial hypertension. Age and sex ratio were similar in the examined groups. Those subjected to the study were not administered any drugs at least 3 months prior to the determination of macro- and microelements. Determinations of trace elements Ca, F, Na, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mo, Al, Cd, Fb, Mu, Se, Cr, Co, Li, V, B, Ba, were performed with atomic emission spectrometer with plasmic excitation (ICP MS Philips PU). In group II in comparison to group I (controls) higher values of Fe, Pb, Al, Cd, Co, B i Ba were observed, as well as higher Zn/Cu ratio; but lower values of Cu and lower Ca/Pb, Ca/Al, Zn/Fe, Se/Fe, Zn/Al, Zn/Cd, Se/Pb, Se/Al, Se/Cd ratio. Increase of prooxidative and decrease,of antioxidative elements in plasma may significantly contribute to the essential hypertension pathogenesis probably through oxidative stress development.