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Antihypertensive effects of oral calcium supplementation may be mediated through the potent vasodilator CGRP

S J Wimalawansa1

  • 1Department of Medicine (Endocrinology), Royal Post-graduate Medical School, London, U.K.

American Journal of Hypertension
|December 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Calcium supplementation significantly lowers blood pressure in essential hypertension. This effect is linked to increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and decreased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is associated with altered calcium metabolism and calcium-regulating hormones.
  • Previous studies suggest calcium supplementation may reduce blood pressure, but mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of calcium supplementation on blood pressure in essential hypertension.
  • To explore the relationship between calcium supplementation, blood pressure, and specific hormones.

Main Methods:

  • Daily supplementation with 1.4 g of elemental calcium.
  • Measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
  • Quantification of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) using radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay.

Main Results:

  • Calcium supplementation significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
  • Blood pressure reduction was negatively correlated with increased plasma CGRP levels (P < .001).
  • Blood pressure reduction was positively correlated with decreased intact PTH levels (P < .05).
  • Cessation of calcium led to reversion of blood pressure and CGRP levels to baseline.

Conclusions:

  • Daily elemental calcium supplementation effectively lowers blood pressure in essential hypertension.
  • The blood pressure-lowering effect of calcium may be mediated by increased CGRP and decreased PTH.
  • These findings suggest a direct role for supplemented calcium in regulating blood pressure via hormonal pathways.

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