The effects of two hypotensor regimens on endothelial function in old patients with primary hypertension

Objective To compare the effects of two different hypotensor regimens on endothelial function in old patients with primary hypertension.Methods Eighty-six old hypertensive patients were divided into telmisartan group and amiloride group randomly.The serum levels of endogenous ouabain(EO),von Willebrand-factor(vWF),nitric oxideCNO) and endothelin-1(ET-1) were detected,endothelium-dependent relaxing function of brachial artery was examined by high-resolution ultrasound,and ambulatory blood pressure was measured before and after 1-year treatment. Results Compared with before treatment,blood pressure was evidently reduced and flow-mediated vasodilation of brachial artery was increased in both groups after 1-year treatment.EO level had no significant change.The serum vWF and ET-1 levels were decreased in both groups, but they decreased more significantly in telmisartan group than in amiloride group.NO level was increased markedly after treatment and there was no difference between the two groups.Conclusion The blood pressure of old hypertensive patients was reduced and endothelium function was protected after treatment with suitable combination of amlodipine with amiloride or telmisartan, but the target organ protection was a persistent process.