Plasma endothelin-1 levels in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma and pheochromocytoma

The aim of the study was to evaluate possible changes of plasma endothelin-1 levels (ET-1) in patients with hypertension secondary to primary aldosteronism and pheochromocytoma. We enrolled in the study: 12 patients affected by aldosterone-producing adenoma (5 M and 7 W; mean age 42.1 +/- 17.2 years); 8 patients with pheochromocytoma (5 M, 3 W; mean age 36.2 +/- 17.1 years); 15 patients with essential hypertension (9 M, 6 W; mean age 48.5 +/- 10 years). We also enrolled a normal control group (8 M, 12 W; mean age 34.2 +/- 11 years). The mean plasma ET-1 concentrations in patients with pheochromocytoma were significantly higher (23.9 +/- 5.2 pg/ml) than those in normal subjects (7.3 +/- 1.9 pg/ml), in patients with primary aldosteronism (12.1 +/- 3.8 pg/ml) and in patients with essential hypertension (9.2 +/- 3 pg/ml); p < 0.001, respectively. The present investigation demonstrates that in human adrenal hypertension patients with pheochromocytoma have increased circulating ET-1 levels respect to patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma.