[The effect of Xuezhikang on ventricular diastolic function in hypertension]

To investigate whether statins have effect on diastolic function of both left and right ventricles in hypertensive patients.

This is a randomized, mono-blind, placebo-controlled study. 120 systemic hypertensive (HT) patients with normal or slightly elevated cholesterol were randomized to placebo or Xuezhikang (1200 mg/d) for 24 weeks. Extended-release nifedipine was administrated to the HT patients. 30 healthy volunteers served as controls. Plasma were obtained at baseline and 24 weeks after Xuezhikang therapy. Cholesterol and carboxy-terminal peptide of procollagen type I (PIP) were measured. Early diastolic velocity (Em) and late diastolic velocity (Am) were obtained from right atrioventricular ring and left atrioventricular ring with pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging.

The levels of plasma PIP were higher in HT patients. After 24 weeks, the levels of plasma LDL-C, TC and PIP were significantly lower in Xuezhikang group than those in placebo group; Systolic and diastolic pressure were decreased both in placebo group and Xuezhikang group meanwhile pulse pressure was decreased and Em/Am ratio at left atrioventricular ring was higher in Xuezhikang group as compared with those in placebo group.

In systemic hypertensive patients, Xuezhikang exerts a beneficial effect on diastolic function of left ventricule via controlling blood pressure, lowering blood lipid and inhibiting myocardial fibrosis.