The effect of regulation of high blood pressure on plasma endothelin-1 levels in blacks with hypertension

Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive endothelin-1 (irET-1) are significantly elevated in blacks with hypertension. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the regulation of high blood pressure on plasma irET-1 levels in black hypertensive individuals. After the initial blood samples were collected from 20 black patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure (Day 1), an intensive antihypertensive treatment was initiated, and the blood pressure and plasma irET-1 levels were monitored on days 2, 8, and 22. When the high blood pressure was brought under control with commonly used antihypertensive medications, plasma irET-1 concentrations dropped dramatically, suggesting that ET-1 concentrations rise as a consequence of high blood pressure in this study group. (C) 1998 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.