Objective: To investigate the relationship among serum nitric oxide, D-dimer, blood pressure, dangerous states and target organ damage in essential hypertension and to evaluate the effects of enalapril and terazosin.
Methods: Fifty-five patients were randomized into the enalapril group and terazosin group, each group receiving enalapril and terazosin respectively for 8 weeks. Serum nitric oxide and D-dimer were measured before and after the treatment.
Results: Serum nitric oxide was lower (P < 0.001) but D-dimer was higher (P < 0.01) in the hypertensions than those in the controls. Serum nitric oxide and D-dimer were related to different levels of blood pressure, dangerous states and target organ damage; Both enalapril and terazosin could reduce the level of blood pressure; Both could increase the serum nitric oxide (P < 0.001) and decrease the D-dimer(P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Endothelial dysfunction and microthrombin can be found in the early stage of essential hypertension. Both enalapril and terazosin could improve the endothelial function and prothrombotic state by promoting the synthesis of nitric oxide.