Plasma levels of cyclic nucleotides in patients with essential hypertension.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Plasma levels of cyclic nucleotides and their responses to submaximal exercise as an endogenous adrenergic stimulation in normal subjects, untreated and treated patients with essential hypertension were studied to assess the roles of various hormones and the patients autonomic nervous system in essential hypertension. Plasma cAMP level was significantly higher in untreated, diuretic-treated patients and those treated with propranolol than in normal subjects. Plasma cGMP level was comparable in normal subjects and untreated patients. Plasma cAMP decreased significantly. Plasma cGMP increased significantly, after chronic propranolol therapy. Plasma cAMP increased significantly after submaximal exercise in normal subjects, untreated patients and those treated with propranolol. Plasma cGMP increased significantly only in normal subjects. The increase in plasma cAMP was significantly higher in untreated patients than in normal subjects and patients treated with propranolol. The percent increase in plasma cAMP was significantly higher in untreated patients than in those treated with propranolol. The sympathetic nervous system may be hyperactive. A hyperreactivity of the .beta.-adrenergic receptors may play an important role in essential hypertension.