Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system activity and reactivity, and the endothelial function profile in normotensive subjects (N), and in essential hypertensives (H), followed by analysis of the modulatory role of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB): valsartan, administered in the management of hypertension. Methods: A total of 101 male subjects were enrolled to the study: 31H and 70N. The nitric-oxide (NO) bioavailability (l-Arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), endothelial vasodilative function (flow mediated dilation (FMD)), oxidative-stress markers (malonyldialdehyde (MDA), thiol index (GSH/GSSG), nitrotyrozine (N-Tyr)), and pro-inflammatory/angiogenic parameters (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, PAI-1, sE-selectin, PAI-1, thromboxane -B2) were assessed at baseline, then after intravenous -l-arginine administration, which was repeated after the 4-day acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) administration (75 mg/24 h). In hypertensives, this whole protocol was repeated following 2 weeks of valsartan therapy. Results: No effect of valsartan and ASA on the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and the NO bioavailability in hypertensives was observed. Administration of valsartan increased plasma renin activity (PRA), but without a decrease in the aldosterone levels. ASA treatment minimized the pre-existing differences between the groups, and increased the PRA in the N-subgroup with the highest ARR values. The blood concentrations of proinflammatory sICAM-1, sE-selectin, sVCAM-1, and PAI-1 were higher, whereas the anti-inflammatory 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level was lower in hypertensive subjects. The levels of angiogenic VEGF did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Our study does not confirm the modulative effect of valsartan on endothelial function. Normotensive men showed an increase in FMD after l-arginine administration, possibly indicating baseline impairment of the NO synthesis.
Highlights
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system is among the most important contributors to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension
Prostanoids and, in particular, thromboxane (Tx)—a product of the arachidonic acid oxygenation in a reaction catalyzed by cyclooxygenase (COX), may participate in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction induced by aldosterone
We have presented only C-F pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement results, as others do not have proved prognostic value
Summary
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system is among the most important contributors to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. The nitric-oxide (NO) bioavailability (L-Arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), endothelial vasodilative function (flow mediated dilation (FMD)), oxidative-stress markers (malonyldialdehyde (MDA), thiol index (GSH/GSSG), nitrotyrozine (NTyr)), and pro-inflammatory/angiogenic parameters (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, PAI-1, sE-selectin, PAI-1, thromboxane -B2) were assessed at baseline, after intravenous -L-arginine administration, which was repeated after the 4-day acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) administration (75 mg/24 h). In hypertensives, this whole protocol was repeated following 2 weeks of valsartan therapy. Normotensive men showed an increase in FMD after L-arginine administration, possibly indicating baseline impairment of the NO synthesis
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