title: Urinary angiotensinogen is correlated with blood pressure in men (Bogalusa Heart Study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Bogalusa Heart Study is a long-term study on cardiovascular disease and has followed a biracial (black/white) population from childhood. Risk factor data pertaining to many patients have been collected over 35 years, and the time course of hypertension has been documented by repeated examinations and measurements. Considerable sex and racial differences have been found to be related to cardiovascular disease. Urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) is a novel biomarker for the intrarenal activity of the renin-angiotensin system in hypertension and kidney disease. We aimed to determine the relationship of UAGT with traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors in asymptomatic young adults in this biracial population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 251 individuals and collected a single random spot urine sample from each one. Because UAGT is significantly increased in diabetic patients and the use of antihypertensive drugs affects UAGT levels, we excluded patients who had diabetes, who were receiving antihypertensive treatment, or both. Consequently, 190 participants were included for this analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UAGT levels did not differ with race or sex, but were significantly correlated with SBP (r = +0.23, P = 0.0015) and DBP (r = +0.24, P = 0.0012). Moreover, high correlations were shown in men, especially in black men (SBP, r = +0.85, P = 0.0005 and DBP, r = +0.72, P = 0.0079). Thus, UAGT is correlated with blood pressure in men, even when they do not show overt proteinuria or albuminuria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The biomarker, UAGT, may facilitate the identification of individuals that are at increased risk for the development of hypertension and early asymptomatic renal disease.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699, USA. hkobori@tulane.edu
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobori
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urushihara
authors.forename: Ji H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Gerald S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Berenson
authors.forename: Luis Gabriel
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Navar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007022:Hypotension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000503:physiopathology; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D000808:Angiotensinogen