Effect of Lecarnidipine on hypertension and circulation hematopoietic progenitor cells in the elderly

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of Lecarnidipine on hypertension and circulation hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) count in elderly patients. Methods A total of 61 elderly patients with hypertension were selected in Renji Hospital geriatric hypertension clinic from January 2014 to August 2014. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Lercanidipine treatment group (n=32, Lercanidipine hydrochloride 5-10 mg/day), the control group (n=29, thiazide diuretics and / or beta blockers according to patient's condition). Patients were observed for 12 weeks, and the target blood pressure level was <140/90 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Blood lipids and glucose levels, liver and kidney function and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined before and after treatment. The quantity of circulation HPCs (the percentage of CD34+ CD45dim in peripheral blood in 100000 mononuclear cells) was detected by flow cytometry analysis. Results Blood pressure in Lercanidipine treatment group was decreased after the treatment (P 0.05). The number of CD34+ CD45dim cells was increased after 12 weeks of Lecarnidipine treatment 〔(0.022 + 0.003)% vs.(0.034 + 0.028)%, P 0.05). Taking the number of CD34+ CD45dim as the independent variables, the multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the number of CD34+ CD45dim cells was negatively correlated to systolic pressure. Conclusions The number of circulation HPCs is negatively correlated with systolic pressure in the elderly. Lercanidipine can increase the number of circulation HPCs, and does not rely on its antihypertensive effect. Key words: Hypertension; Hematopoietic stem cells; Calcium channel blockers