Relationship Between Blood Lead Level and Elevated Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients: Implication of Nitric Oxide

Abstract

The correlation between the blood lead (B-Pb ) levels and the values of blood pressure in hypertensive patients was investigated. Moreover, plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidants (TAOX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected to investigate the correlations between the measured parameters and B-Pb levels in hypertensive patients. Fifty-five hypertensive patients were compared with fifty-three age and sex matched control group. The B-Pb levels were detected by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The plasma levels of NO, TAOX and MDA were measured by colorimetric methods. In the hypertensive patients, B-Pb levels were significantly higher than controls. Concomitantly, the plasma levels of MDA were significantly increased while the plasma levels of NO and TAOX were significantly reduced in the hypertensive patients in comparison with controls. There were significant positive correlations between B-Pb and each of MDA, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conversely, a significant negative correlation was found between B- Pb and NO. Our study indicated that B-Pb level was associated with elevated blood pressure as well as oxidative stress in hypertensive patients. Moreover, the negative correlation between the B-Pb level and NO level may clarify their implication in cardiovascular disease and hypertension.