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Published on: July 29, 2021
Decreased threshold for the nitric oxide donor glyceryl trinitrate in cortisol-induced hypertension in humans
J J Kelly1, S H Tam, P M Williamson
1Department of Medicine, University of New South Wales, St George Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract:
1. Decreased nitric oxide (NO) availability is thought to be a feature of cortisol-induced hypertension in humans. 2. We hypothesized that, accordingly, the threshold for a depressor response to NO should be decreased by cortisol treatment. 3. We re-analysed data from a study of baroreflex function in normal men treated with cortisol using glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). 4. Cortisol treatment increased blood pressure and decreased the threshold dose of GTN for a fall in systolic and mean blood pressure. 5. These data support the notion that glucorticoid hypertension is associated with reduced NO bioavailability.
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