Change of the plasma endothelin-1 in hypertensive patients before and after the treatment with losartan

Objective: To study the effect of endothelin-1 on occurrence of essential hypertension (EH) and the change of the plasma endothelin-1 in EH patients before and after the treatment with losartan. Methods: A total of 76 patients with EH were treated with losartan. Forty-two health people were selected as controlled group. The dose of losartan was 50 - 100 mg per day and dose of some patients was added hydrochlorothiazide 12. 5 mg 2 times per day. The levels of plasma endothelin\|1 and blood pressure were measured before and after the treatment of losartan. Results: The plasma endothelin-1 level of EH patients was significantly higher than that of controlled group(89. 13 ± 29.17 ng/L vs 60. 13±10. 23 mg/L, P0. 05). The endothelin-1 level of EH patients stage Ⅲ was higher than that of EH patients stage Ⅱ (118. 04±35. 06 vs 80. 85 ± 15. 88.P0. 05). After the treatment with losartan, the endothelin-1 levels were decreased significantly (89. 13± 29. 17 ng/L vs 65. 3±7. 19 ng/L.P0. 01). The SBP and DBF were significant lower after the treatment with losartan than those before the treatment (125. 71±20. 05 vs 168. 34±12. 92 mmHg, 80. 15± 5.11 vs 112. 46±6.09 mmHg, P0. 01). Conclusion: Endothelin-1 may play an important role in the initiation and maintenances of EH. The treatment with losartan can decrease not only the blood pressure but also the level of plasma endothlin-1 in EH patients.