Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients with Essential Hypertension Before and After Valsartan Treatment

Objective To investigate the changes of serum insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and nitric oxide(NO) levels in patients with essential hypertension(EH) before and after valsartan treatment. Methods Serum IGF-1 levels and NO level were measured by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reductase method respectively in 50 patients with essential hypertensions before and after 6 months treatment. 25 normotensive served as controls. Results Base line IGF-1 serum level were higher in EH than in normal controls (13.36±3.36 vs 9.67±2.57 nmol/L,P 0.01),whereas NO serum level was lower(61.94±18.02 vs 77.15 ±13.50 μmol/L P 0.01). The IGF-1 Serum level were higher in EH with LVH than in those without LVH(14.15±4.23 vs 11.57±3.10 nmol/L,P 0.01),while NO serum level were lower in EH with LVH than in those without LVH(56.20±17.15 vs 67.68±18.97 μmol/L P 0.05). After six months treatment of valsartan,serum IGF-1 levels tends to fell 10.85±2.97 nmol/L( P 0.01),serum NO levels increase to 72.07±15.45 μmol/L( P 0.01),left ventricular mass index(LVMI) was reduced to 111.13±15.27 g/m 2( P 0.01). Conclusion These data indicate that serum IGF-1 levels are increased in essential hypertension,with serum NO levels decreased,especially in EH with LVH. Valsartan decreases serum IGF-1 levels and increases serum NO levels in patients with essential hypertension,when the LVH was reversed.