Plasma Endothelin-1 In Nigerian Hypertensives

Abstract

Background: Essential hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and increased peripheral resistance; the main constricting factors being endothelin - 1(ET-1).It may be expected that an abundance of constricting factors should be prevalent in hypertension.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine if endothelin -1 is elevated in Nigerians with essential hypertension.
Methods: One hundred and forty-eight patients on treatment for hypertension with no history of heart failure nor renal failure were recruited from the medical outpatient department of Lagos state University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja as well as fifty three controls. Blood samples were taken for endothelin-1 . Endothelin-1 was analysed by Enzyme linked immunoassay method.
Results: There were forty nine male and ninety-nine females. The mean age of the patients was 56years while the mean systolic blood pressure was 147 mmHg±21 and diastolic blood pressure was 90mmHg±12.9.The median value of endothelin was 1.8 fmol/L range(0 to 19.5fmol/L) among the patients. Endothelin-1 correlated positively with the age of subjects (p=0.019) but it did not correlate with the level of the systolic blood pressure(p=0.383). The levels of endothelin-1 also correlated positively with fasting blood glucose(p=0.039) and C- reactive protein.
Conclusion: Endothelin-1 levels are not higher in people with hypertension, but are influenced by age.

Key words: Endothelin-1, hypertension,