Effects of salbutamol and glyceryl trinitrate on large arterial stiffness are similar between patients with hypertension and adults with normal blood pressure.
OBJECTIVE
Endothelial function is characteristically impaired in patients with hypertension. Endothelial function was assessed in men and women with hypertension using a recently described, non-invasive method.


METHODS
Twenty patients and 20 controls received salbutamol 400 microg and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) 500 microg in a two-way randomized, single-blind study. Effects on augmentation index (AIx) were assessed using pulse wave analysis (PWA).


RESULTS
Responses (absolute AIx reduction and 95% confidence interval) to salbutamol were 8.4% (6.2, 10.6) and 8.3% (7.0, 9.6) in patients and controls, respectively, and those to GTN were 13.6% (10.8, 16.4) and 15.5% (13.0, 17.0), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic arterial responses to endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilators are preserved in patients with mild, uncomplicated hypertension, indicating normal large arterial endothelial function.
Waring
W Stephen
WS
Clinical Pharmacology Unit, The University of Edinburgh, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK. s.waring@ed.ac.uk
Sinclair
Hannah M
HM
Webb
David J
DJ
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D000420:Albuterol