The changes of the plasma endothelin-1 in hypertensive patients before and after the treatment with irbesartan

Objective To study the effect of endothelin-1(ET-1) on essential hypertension(EH) and the changes of the plasma ET-1 in hypertensive patients before and after the treatment with irbesartan. Methods 88 patients with EH selected as EH group were treated with irbesartan(150～300mg d -1 ). 48 health people were selected as controlled group. The levels of plasma endothelin-1 and blood pressure were measured before and after the treatment of irbesartan.Results 3 patients withdrawed due to side effects. The plasma ET-1 of EH group was significantly higher than controlled group (89.13±29.17ng/L vs 60.13±10.23ng/L, P 0.05). The ET-1 levels of III degree of hypertensive patients were significant higher than those of II degree (123.04±36.07 vs 83.44±14.63, P 0.05), and the EH-1 levels of II degree were significant higher than those of I degree (83.44±14.63 vs 72.55±19.60). After the treatment with irbesartan, the endothelin levels were decreased significantly (65.32±7.19ng/L vs 89.13±29.17ng/L, P 0.01). The SBP and DBP were significant lower after the treatment with irbesartan than those before the treatment (125.71±20.05mmHg vs 168.34±12.92mmHg, 80.15 ±5.11 mmHg vs 112.46±6.09 mmHg, P 0.05). Conclusion Endothelin may play an important role in the initiation and maintenances of EH. The treatment with losartan can decrease not only the blood pressure of hypertensive patients but also the levels of plasma ET-1.