Effect of atorvastatin on endothelial function and vasoactive substances in essential hypertensive patients without hyperlipemia

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on vascular endothelial cell function and vasoactive substances in essential hypertensive patients without hyperlipemia. Methods Sixty-five essential hypertensive(EH) patients without hyperlipemia were enrolled and randomly divided into atorvastatin group and conventional treatment group(oral taken atorvastatin or placebo once every night in addition of routine antihypertensive drugs).Twenty five healthy subjects were also recruited as control.All cases were followed up for eight weeks.Serum cholesterol,nitric oxide(NO),emdothelin-1(ET-1),vonWillebrand-factor(vWF) levels were determined in each case.Flow-medizted dilation(FMD) was determined by high-resolution ultrasonography before and after eight weeks atorvastatin medication.Results (1)Before treatment,the FMD and NO levels of EH group were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.01),while the ET-1 and vWF levels of EH group were significantly higher than those of control group(P＜0.01);(2)In EH patients,the FMD and NO levels significantly increased after treatment and increased even more dramatically in atorvastatin group,when compared to conventional treatment group(Ps＜0.01);(3)In EH patients,the ET-1 and vWF levels significantly decreased after treatment and decreased even more dramatically in atorvastatin group,when compared to conventional treatment group(Ps＜0.01).Conclusion In patients of EH without hyperlipemia,atorvastatin can decrease plasma levels of ET-1,vWF,while increase plasma NO concentration and improve vascular endothelial function. Key words: Atorvastatin;  Essential hypertension;  Lipid;  Vascular endothelial function;  Vasoactive substances