Changes of plasma neuropeptide Y and neurotensin levels and damages of cardiac function in patients with essential hypertension

Objective To observe the changes of plasma neuropeptide Y(NPY) and neurotensin(NT) levels in patients with essential hypertension and the relationship between those changes and damage of cardiac function. Methods Eighty patients of essential hypertension and 28 normal controls were chosen. The cardiac function was divided into 3 classes on the standard of New York Heart Association(NYHA). The plasma NPY,NT concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results The level of NPY in hypertension patients was higher than that of the normal controls(P0.01), the level of NT was significantly lower than that of the normal controls(P0.01). The NPY and NT levels of the three groups divided on cardiac function(degree Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ) were all significantly different(P 0.01 ). Following the severity of heart failure, the NPY level increased, the NT level decreased. The NPY level in group with left ventricle hypertrophy(LVH) was significantly higher than that of the group without LVH(P0.01).The NT level in LVH group was significantly lower than that of the group without LVH(P 0.01 ). Conclusion The levels of NPY and NT may participate the physiological course of hypertension. They may play a role in the damage of cardiac function of the patients with essential hypertension.