[The beneficial effects of xuezhikang on top of extended-released nifedipine in hypertensive patients without severe hyperlipidemia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether xuezhikang has additional beneficial effect on lipid peroxidation, myocardial fibrosis, inflammation and blood pressure control in hypertensive patients without sever hyperlipidemia treated with extended-released nifedipine.


METHODS
This is a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 patients with primary hypertension (HT) and normal or lightly elevated cholesterol level were randomized to receive placebo (n=49) or xuezhikang (1200 mg/d, n=51) for 24 weeks on top of extended-released nifedipine (20 mg, bid), 30 healthy volunteers served as controls. Plasma was obtained at baseline and 24 weeks after therapy. Lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase photo-inhibition rate (SOD-PR) and type I collagen carboxypropeptide (PIP) were measured.


RESULTS
Normal blood pressure (<140/90 mm Hg) was found in 49 out of 51 xuezhikang treated patients and in 40 out of 49 placebo treated patients (P<0.01) after 24 weeks therapy. Plasma CRP, MDA, SOD-PR and PIP were significantly higher in HT patients than those in normal controls. Plasma CRP, MDA, PIP and SOD-PR were significantly decreased in xuezhikang group while remained unchanged in placebo group after 24 weeks treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with primary hypertension without severe hyperlipidemia treated with nifedipine, xuezhikang treatment exerts additional beneficial effects including better blood pressure control, endothelial function improvement, lipid oxidation loading attenuation and anti-inflammation.
Wu
Cai-e
CE
Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Ye
Ping
P
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008055:Lipids; C496822:xuezhikang; D009569:Nitric Oxide