Effect of Irbesartan on Plasma Endothelin-1 and Nitrogen Monoxide in Elderly Patients with Essential Hypertension

Objective To investigate effect of Irbesartan on plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) in elderly patients with moderate to severe essential hypertension.Methods Forty patients with essential hypertension who were ≥60 years of age and had been treated with two or more antihypertensive drugs but whose systolic pressure were ≥160 mmHg and or whose diastolic pressure were ≥100mmHg,entered into the present study. Irbesartan 150mg daily was added to their original treatment for 6 week. ET-1 and NO were measured before and 6 week after treatment.used forty-two healthy adults as controls. Results In the treatment group,ET-1 was significantly decreased and NO was significantly increased after 6 weeks,addition of Irbesartan.As compared with controls,ET-1 of treatment group was higher both before and after addition of Irbesartan ( P 0.001), NO level was lower befer additicn of Irbesartan ( P =0.038) and higher after addition of Irbesartan (1.0, P 0.001).After addition of Irbesartan,the ratio of ET/NO in treatment group (2,2) was higher than that after addition (1.0, P 0.001).After addition of Irbesartan,the ratio of ET-1/NO in treatment group (1.0 ) did not differ significantly from that of controls (1.0 P =0.819). Conclusions Irbesartan may improve the endothelial function of elderly patients with moderate to severe essential hypertension.