The effects of irbesartan on the endothelial dysfunction in the elderly with essential hypertension

Objective To investigate (1) whether or not irbesartan can relieve endothelial dysfunction of essential hypertension; (2) which of fosinopril and irbesartan is better in relieving the endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension, especially for the elderly . Methods Sixty-two elderly patients with essential hypertension were divided into two groups: fosinopril group and irbesartan group. After 3 months treatment, the effect of drugs on BP and the endothelium-dependent relaxation(EDR) of brachial artery (BA) with high resolution ultrasound examination were analyzed, meanwhile the plasma levels of NO、ET-1 and vWF were assessed. Results Fosinopril and irbesartan groups had a similar (P0.05)obvious increase in EDR of BA after 3 months treatment vs pre-treatment [(6.40±1.26)%vs(5.07±1.25)% and (6.54±1.37)%vs(4.88±1.28)%,P0.01,respectively]. There were similar significant increases in the levels of NO in fosinopril group and irbesartan group after the study vs pre-treatment [(19.10±5.84)μ mol/L vs(15.09±3.91)μ mol/L、(20.44±5.75)μ mol/L vs(15.22±3.72)μ mol/L,P0.01]. There were similar significant decreases in the levels of ET-1 in two groups before and after treatment [(28.04±7.83)pmol/L vs(21.76±7.56)pmol/L、(27.72±8.23)pmol/L vs(22.01±6.53)pmol/L,P0.01]. There were similar significant decreases in vWF in two groups before and after study [(85.29±9.71)% vs(75.32±7.91)%、(86.29±9.82)% vs(74.94±7.85)%,P0.01]. Conclusions Irbesartan can improve endothelial function of elderly primary hypertensive patients, There is no significant difference in the restoration of endothelial function between irbesartan and fosinopril.