Effects of valsartan or amlodipine on endothelial function and oxidative stress after one year follow-up in patients with essential hypertension

Endothelial function is impaired in hypertensive patients. Decreased nitric oxide production and increased oxidative stress are involved in this abnormality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether endothelial function and oxidative stress differ following long-term antihypertensive treatment with an angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker, valsartan, or a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, in patients with essential hypertension. Hypertensive patients were treated with valsartan (80-160 mg/day) or amlodipine (5-10 mg/day) for one year (n = 9 for each). The baseline blood pressure was similar between groups, and the magnitude of the decreases in blood pressure did not differ during treatment at three months, six months, or one year. Endothelial function and oxidative stress markers were examined before and after treatment. Endothelial function, assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation, was significantly improved in hypertensive patients treated with valsartan (5.8 +/- 1.2 to 10.7 +/- 1.4 %, p < 0.01) but not in those treated with amlodipine. The percent increase in vasodilation induced by sublingual nitroglycerin did not differ between the two groups. As markers of oxidative stress, urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine was significantly reduced in patients treated with valsartan, but not in those treated with amlodipine. These findings suggest that the treatment of hypertensive patients with valsartan for at least one year improves endothelial function in association with reduced oxidative stress. The improved endothelial function and reduced oxidative stress might be involved in the benefits of anti-hypertensive treatment beyond simply lowering blood pressure, although the effects of treatment with valsartan or amlodipine over a much longer period are unknown.