The Effect of Atorvastatin on the Plasma Hydrogen Sulfide and Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Objective To observe the effect of different doses of atorvastatin on the plasma hydrogen sulfide(H2S) and nitric oxide(NO) levels in patients with essential hypertensive. Methods One hundred patients with essential hypertension in the People's Hospital of Tunliu County from 2010-2012 were selected as research subjects.Thirty healthy patients were chosen as the control. The patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into atorvastatin 40 mg/d group(n =38), atorvastatin 20 mg/d group(n =42) and control group(without atorvastatin,n=20). The plasma H2S level of was detected by ELISA and serum NO by nitrate reductase assay.Results The plasma H2S and NO levels were lower in patients with essential hypertension than those in healthy subjects. The levels of H2S and NO in patients given atorvastatin(40 mg/d and 20 mg/d) were higher after treatment than before treatment. The differences of plasma H2S and NO levels between before and after treatment in atorvastatin 40 mg/d group and atorvastatin 20 mg/d group were higher than those in control group, and the differences were also higher in atorvastatin 40 mg/d group than those in atorvastatin 20 mg/d group. Conclusion The plasma H2S and NO levels were lower in patients with essential hypertension. Atorvastatin could increase the plasma H2S and NO levels in patients with essential hypertension.