The Effects of Irbesartan on The Vascular Endothelial Function in Essential Hypertensive Patients

Objective To study the effects of Irbesartan on plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in the patients with essential hypertension. Methods After a period of 2 week single-blind placebo wash-out, mild-to-moderate essential hypertensive patients (n=50) were treated with Irbesartan 150 mg once daily for 4 weeks, and titrated to 300 mg/d for another 4 weeks in patients whose seated DBP sustained≥90 mm Hg or SBP≥140 mm Hg. The plasma levels of endothelin-1, CECs and blood pressure were measured before and after 8 week treatment. Rusults Irbesartan significantly decreased BP [before 154.0±12.8/96.3±2.0 vs after 130.4±10.8/84.5±9.5 mm Hg (P0.01)] associated with reduction in the plasma levels of ET-1 and CECs (ET-1, before 37.5±9.5 vs after 29.7±12.1 ng/L, P0.01; CECs, before 6.7±3.6 vs after 4.4±2.8 106 cells/L, P0.01). Conclusion Irbesartan decrease blood pressure and improve the function of the vascular endothelium in patients with essential hypertension.