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Evidence for oxidative stress in essential hypertension: perspective for antioxidant therapy
T Parik1, K Allikmets, R Teesalu
1Department of Cardiology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
Insights
Young, untreated essential hypertension (EH) patients show increased oxidative stress markers. This suggests that antihypertensive treatments should incorporate antioxidant protection to prevent coronary artery disease (CAD) progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Oxidative Stress Research
- Hypertension Studies
Background:
- Arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).
- The role of oxidative stress in hypertension-related vascular injury requires further definition.
- Existing antihypertensive drugs possess antioxidant properties, highlighting the importance of oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of oxidative stress in young, untreated patients with essential hypertension (EH).
- To assess lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant status markers in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Serum lipid peroxidation (LP) products, including diene conjugates and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), were measured spectrophotometrically.
- Antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring serum antioxidative capacity (AOC) and red blood cell (RBC) glutathione levels.
- 32 mild-to-moderate EH patients and 26 normotensive controls were included in the study.
Main Results:
- EH patients exhibited significantly elevated LP products (P < 0.01) compared to controls.
- Serum AOC was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) and RBC glutathione increased (P < 0.05) in EH patients.
- Hypercholesterolemia did not significantly affect the observed differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- Young patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension demonstrate evidence of oxidative stress.
- Antihypertensive therapy should include antioxidant protection, particularly in patients with potentially reversible vascular disease.
Background:
Despite therapy, arterial hypertension continues to be a risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). The role of oxidative stress, an important source of vascular injury, in the genesis of this increased risk also needs to be defined, because several antihypertensive drugs have demonstrated antioxidant effects. This study tested the existence of oxidative stress in young (< 40 years) untreated patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension (EH).
Methods:
Lipid peroxidation (LP) products (diene conjugates, basal and Fe-stimulated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were detected spectrophotometrically in serum together with markers of antioxidant status (serum antioxidative capacity (AOC), red blood cell (RBC) glutathione) in 32 patients with mild-to-moderate EH and in 26 matched normotensive controls.
Results:
All LP products were elevated (P < 0.01), while serum AOC was decreased (P < 0.001) and RBC glutathione increased (P < 0.05) in EH patients compared with controls. The presence of hypercholesterolaemia was not found to influence the differences in the measured parameters between hypertensive patients and controls significantly.
Conclusions:
The results indicate that oxidative stress occurs in young patients with uncomplicated EH. Therefore antihypertensive treatment; especially in patients whose vascular disease is still reversible, should provide antioxidant protection.