Vol 10, No 2 (2006)
Original paper
Published online: 2006-04-18
Urotensin II and ghrelin and target organ damage in primary hypertension
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2006;10(2):128-135.
Abstract
Background Ghrelin (GR) is a peptide hormone that induces
vasodilation, inhibits sympathetic nerve activity,
apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, and improves
cardiac function. Urotensin II (UII) is another vasoactive
peptide with potent but highly variable vascular
response. These findings raised the possibility that both
peptides play a role in maintaining vascular tone and therefore
may be involved in pathophysiology of primary hypertension.
We investigated the relationship between plasma
levels of GR and UII and arterial blood pressure (BP) as
well as left ventricular (LV) structure in patients with different
stages of hypertension (HT).
Material and methods A total of 70 hypertensive patients (HTpts) were classified in groups of mild (1), moderate (2) and severe (3) HT and divided into group without organ damage (A), with sign of organ damage (B) and group C with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). In all patients and controls echocardiographic examination of LV structure and systolic function was performed. Plasma level of GR and UII were measured using RIA Peninsula Lab. Inc.
Results GR level in groups 2 and 3 HT was significantly lower compared to controls (p < 0.001) and groups 1 HT (p < 0.04) and in HTpts of group B and C compared to controls or group A (p < 0.05). Significant negative correlation between GR level and SBP (r = –0,36, p < 0,05), DBP (r = –0,39, p < 0,002), LV mass (r = –0,37, p < 0,006) and LV mass index (r = –0,46, p < 0,03) were found out. Plasma UII level in group 3 HT and A was significantly lower compared to controls and 2 HTpts (p < 0.007). UII level correlated only with z SBP (r = –0.256, p < 0.004).
Conclusions Decreased level of GR in HTpts and significant inverse correlation between GR level and LV mass index suggest GR involvement in pathogenesis of HT and target organ damage as a result of imbalance in vasorelaxative and vasoconstrictive action with predominance of the last. Diminished UII level in pts with severe HT as compared with controls may indicate significance of tissue but not plasma expression of UII in this stage of HT.
Material and methods A total of 70 hypertensive patients (HTpts) were classified in groups of mild (1), moderate (2) and severe (3) HT and divided into group without organ damage (A), with sign of organ damage (B) and group C with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). In all patients and controls echocardiographic examination of LV structure and systolic function was performed. Plasma level of GR and UII were measured using RIA Peninsula Lab. Inc.
Results GR level in groups 2 and 3 HT was significantly lower compared to controls (p < 0.001) and groups 1 HT (p < 0.04) and in HTpts of group B and C compared to controls or group A (p < 0.05). Significant negative correlation between GR level and SBP (r = –0,36, p < 0,05), DBP (r = –0,39, p < 0,002), LV mass (r = –0,37, p < 0,006) and LV mass index (r = –0,46, p < 0,03) were found out. Plasma UII level in group 3 HT and A was significantly lower compared to controls and 2 HTpts (p < 0.007). UII level correlated only with z SBP (r = –0.256, p < 0.004).
Conclusions Decreased level of GR in HTpts and significant inverse correlation between GR level and LV mass index suggest GR involvement in pathogenesis of HT and target organ damage as a result of imbalance in vasorelaxative and vasoconstrictive action with predominance of the last. Diminished UII level in pts with severe HT as compared with controls may indicate significance of tissue but not plasma expression of UII in this stage of HT.
Keywords: ghrelinurotensin IIhypertensionleft ventricular hypertrophy