[Effects of benazepril and valsartan on erythropoietin levels in patients with essential hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To compare effects of valsartan and benazepril on erythropoietin (EPO) levels in essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function.


METHODS
Sixty essential hypertensive patients were randomly divided into valsartan group (n=30, valsartan 80 mg/day) and benazepril group (n=30, benazepril 10 mg/day). Plasma EPO and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured at the start of and at 4 and 8 weeks during the treatments.


RESULTS
EPO and Hb levels were all in normal range in the two groups. Valsartan decreased EPO levels from 14.179∓3.214 U/L (baseline) to 12.138∓2.926 U/L (P<0.05) and Hb levels from 144.32∓13.84 g/L (baseline) to 135.16∓14.78 U/L (P<0.05). Benazepril treatment did not resulted in any obvious changes in EPO or Hb levels (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Valsartan may lower EPO and Hb levels in patients with essential hypertension, while benazepril does not have such effects. The safety of valsartan in anemic hypertensive patients should be further investigated.
Department of Cardiology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China. gll63245@sina.com
Lin-lin
LL
Guo
Min
M
Li
Ai-hong
AH
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014633:Valine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
D001552:Benzazepines; D006454:Hemoglobins; D013777:Tetrazoles; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine; C044946:benazepril