[The plasma levels of proinsulin and true insulin and the effects of ramipril in hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the dynamic changes of plasma proinsulin (PI) and true insulin (TI) and their relation with essential hypertension (EH) as well as to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ramipril.


METHODS
PI, TI and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were measured in 44 cases of EH, 24 normal subjects and 21 cases of EH before and after treatment with ramipril.


RESULTS
The mean plasma level of PI and IRI in EH was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01); there was no significant difference in the level of TI (P > 0.05). PI was positively related to TI, There was no significant relation between PI with SBP and DBP. Plasma concentration of IRI and PI (P < 0.05), decreased remarkably, but the level of TI remained unchanged after therapy with ramipril (n = 21).


CONCLUSIONS
The plasma concentration of PI is elevated in patients with EH due probably to impaired function of beta-cells of the pancreatic islets. Ramipril can decrease the level of PI and improve pancreatic beta cell function.
Zang
Guiming
G
The General Navy Hospital, Beijing 100037, China.
Yang
Ye
Y
Shi
Xiangyun
X
Zhang
Zhaofu
Z
Zhu
Zhiming
Z
Gao
Lianru
L
Wang
Hongying
H
Yin
Guocai
G
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000097:blood*; D017257:Ramipril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D011384:Proinsulin; D002784:Cholesterol; D017257:Ramipril