Changes in Hormonal Activities Relative to the Severity of Essential Hypertension

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Abstract
Endocrine activity in patients with essential hypertension was studied by measuring the urinary excretion of catecholamines, prostaglandin (PG) E and cyclic (c)AMP. Simultaneously, plasma renin activity [PRA], concentrations of serum Na, K, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were determined. Systolic blood pressure and BUN increased progressively with age until the 6th decade. Urinary excretion of norepinephrine [NE] was correlated with the systolic blood pressure. In contrast, PRA and urinary excretion of PGE decreased progressively with the increase in systolic blood pressure. Although the cause of essential hypertension is not known, it is suggested that hypertension accelerates the aging process in the kidney and thus decreases renal PGE synthesis. This decrease in PGE in turn causes a reduction of PRA, possibly either by accelerating the retention of Na and water or by failing to stimulate renin synthesis. A decrease of PGE may also potentiate the vasopressor action of NE.