Effect of valsartan on endothelium-dependent relaxing function in hypertensive patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To investigate the changes of endothelium - dependent relaxing function in hypertensive patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus ( EH + DM vs. EH) and the effect of valsartan on it. Methods With high-resolution ultrasound, the change of diameters in brachial arteries in responding to reactive hyperemia (ΔD% ) were measured in 34 patients with EH and 28 patients with EH + DM pre and post treatment of valsartan. Results In patients with EH + DM, the ΔD% was much reduced compared with that in EH group [ ( 2. 50±4. 00 ) % vs. ( 6. 34± 4. 34 ) % , P 0. 05] , while after being treated with valsartan for 12 weeks, the ΔD% was ameliorated than that pre treatment [ (4. 68±3. 22)% vs. (2.50±4.00)%, (10.12±4.68)% vs. (6.34±4.34)% , P 0. 05]. Conclusion Hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus suffered more serious functional impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation than those without type 2 diabetes mellitus, and these dysfunction may be ameliorated by treatment of valsartan.