Evidence for genetic variability in venous responsiveness

Alterations in adrenergic mediated vascular responsiveness and glucose metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. We sought for a human model to study possible interactions between the two pathogenetical factors. In a group of Latin-Americans there is a predominance of diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance and obesity, while the rate of hypertension is unexpectedly low (lower than in the normal population). Here we demonstrate attenuated alpha 1 adrenergic mediated vasoconstriction in the above group, suggesting a possible protective mechanism against the development hypertension.