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Published on: June 16, 2014
Endothelial dysfunction in patients with noncomplicated and complicated hypertension
Aleksander Goch1, Maciej Banach, Dimitri P Mikhailidis
1Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Endothelial dysfunction is linked to hypertension and atherosclerosis risk factors. Studies show impaired nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and elevated endothelin-1 (ET-1) in hypertensive patients with atherosclerosis, indicating endothelial dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in hypertension development.
- Atherosclerosis risk factors significantly influence hypertension progression.
- Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are critical regulators of vascular tone and endothelial function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate plasma nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations.
- To assess 24-hour urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels.
- To compare these markers in non-complicated hypertensive patients versus those with atherosclerosis risk factors and coronary artery disease (CAD).
Main Methods:
- Plasma NOx measured by Greiss assay.
- Plasma ET-1 quantified using ELISA.
- Urinary cGMP determined by immunoenzymatic assay.
- Study included 68 subjects across four groups: controls, hypertension without risk factors, hypertension with risk factors, and hypertension with CAD.
Main Results:
- Plasma NOx levels were significantly lower in hypertensive patients with atherosclerosis risk factors (Group III) and CAD (Group IV) compared to controls (Group I) and hypertension without risk factors (Group II).
- Plasma ET-1 concentrations were significantly higher in hypertensive patients with atherosclerosis risk factors (Group III) and CAD (Group IV) compared to controls (Group I).
- No significant differences in urinary cGMP levels were observed across all study groups.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive patients without atherosclerosis risk factors do not exhibit endothelial dysfunction.
- Deterioration of endothelial function is evident in hypertensive patients with atherosclerosis risk factors, particularly those with CAD.
- NOx and ET-1 levels serve as indicators of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension associated with atherosclerosis.
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