电磁脉冲照射前后大鼠心肌超声背向散射参数变化的研究

目的探讨电磁脉冲照射前、后SD大鼠心肌组织超声背向散射参数变化特点。方法40只二级雄性SD大鼠,单盲法随机分为辐照组和对照组,辐照组给以相应参数的电磁脉冲（EMP）照射,对照组给以假照射。分别于照射前、照射后24 h采集大鼠胸骨旁左室短轴射频图像,并测量感兴趣区心肌背向散射积分（IBS）值、心腔内血池IBS值,计算出标准化心肌背向散射积分（IBS%）,两时间点采集图像后每组各活杀10只大鼠,取心肌组织行透射电镜观察。结果EMP照射后大鼠心肌细胞水肿,细胞器改变。与对照组比较,辐照组照射24 h后左室前后壁IBS%均显著降低（P<0.01）;后壁IBS值减低（P<0.05）。辐照组前、后壁IBS及IBS%均显著降低。结论SD大鼠EMP照射后心肌IBS%值较照射前降低,IBS值有不同程度改变,提示EMP照射后心肌组织的病理学改变。     

螺内酯对原发性高血压大鼠左心室功能的影响

目的用超声评价螺内酯对原发性高血压(高血压)大鼠(SHR)心肌组织胶原含量和心功能的影响。方法20只雄性高血压大鼠随机分为螺内酯组(n=10)和安慰剂组(n=10),另设WKY组(n=7)。螺内酯组螺内酯用双蒸水溶解后以20 mg.kg-1.d-1灌胃;安慰剂组和WKY组用等容积双蒸水灌胃,连续16周。超声心动图观察大鼠左心房内径,室间隔和后壁厚度,射血分数,背向散射积分(IBS);背向散射积分周期变化(PPI)。取心肌标本,称取左心室重量,计算左心室质量指数,制备心肌组织石蜡切片,天狼猩红饱和苦味酸染色,观察心肌胶原容积分数(CVF)和血管周围胶原面积(PVCA)。结果与WKY组比较,安慰剂组大鼠心肌肥厚指标:左心室质量指数室,室间隔及左心室后壁厚度增加;心脏功能指标:左心房内径、射血分数增大,E/A比值减少;纤维化指标:胶原容积分数、血管周围胶原面积增加,声学密度指标背向散射积分升高,背向散射积分周期变化降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗16周,与安慰剂组比较,螺内酯组上述指标均有改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论高血压大鼠左心室胶原沉积、心肌肥厚、舒张功能减退,收缩功能受损。螺内酯治疗能减少高血压大鼠局部胶原沉积,改善左心室功能。     

原发性高血压患者动态脉压与靶器官损害的相关性研究

目的　探讨原发性高血压患者动态脉压(PP)与靶器官损害之间的关系。方法　对 181例原发性高血压患者(年龄>60岁)行动态血压监测,按动态脉压不同分为脉压<50mmHg组 (PP1)93例和脉压≥50mmHg组(PP2)88例。对所有患者均做超声心动图、颈动脉超声、冠状动 脉造影检查,比较不同组间的检查结果,并进行统计学分析。结果　脉压≥50mmHg组与脉压< 50mmHg组比较,颈动脉内膜厚度[(1.02±0.23)mm比(0.92±0.17)mm]、颈动脉斑块积分指数 [(9.28±2.07)比(4.36±1.57)]、颈动脉狭窄指数[(1.92±0.83)比(1.31±0.67)]、左心室舒张 末期内径[(5.02±0.44)cm比(4.67±0.41)cm]、冠状动脉狭窄指数[(1.85±0.64)比(1.26± 0.41)],差异均有显著性(P<0.001)。结论　原发性高血压患者靶器官损害程度与增大的脉压有 关,脉压是颈动脉内膜厚度与左心室肥厚的危险因素之一。     

超声背向散射积分技术定量评价糖尿病性心肌病的临床研究

目的　探讨背向散射积分技术在评价糖尿病患者心肌病变方面的应用价值。方法　采用 HP Sonos-5 5 0 0型超声诊断仪配置的 AD-IBS软件 ,对比测定 33例 2型糖尿病患者和 2 2例健康志愿者心肌组织的 IBS% (背向散射积分均值的校正值 )和 CVIBS%(背向散射积分周期变异率的校正值 )。结果　 1糖尿病组室间隔及左心室后壁 IBS%较对照组增大 ( P值分别 <0 .0 5和 <0 .0 1) ,CVIBS%较对照组减小 ,但无统计学差异 ;2左心室收缩功能参数 EF(射血分数 )和 FS(短轴缩短率 )两组间无统计学差异 ;舒张功能参数 TVI-E/ TVI-A(二尖瓣口舒张期血流 E峰和 A峰时间速度积分比值 )糖尿病组显著低于对照组 ( P<0 .0 5 )。结论　糖尿病患者心肌组织特征与健康者显著不同 ,背向散射积分测定可以定量评价糖尿病患者早期心肌病变     

原发性高血压患者左心室后壁心肌肥厚与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子之间的关系

目的探讨原发性高血压患者左心室心肌肥厚与碱性成纤细胞生长因子(bFGF)之间的临床关系及意义。方法住院高血压患者共243例,行彩色超声心动图检查,其中高血压左心室后壁心肌肥厚>11.1mm108例;高血压左心室后壁厚度≤11mm 135例。采用ELISA方法测定bFGF。结果高血压左心室后壁心肌肥厚组、高血压非左心室后壁肥厚组bFGF水平分别为(342.42±11.611)μg/ml、(269.43±8.01)μg/ml,与对照组比较有显著差异(P<0.001)。结论bFGF水平高血压左心室后壁心肌肥厚组>高血压非左心室后壁肥厚组>正常对照组。bFGF在心肌重构、心肌肥厚及高血压的发生发展过程中起重要作用。对了解病情,判断预后有一定临床意义。     

血液透析对终末期肾病患者左心室肥厚的影响

目的探讨血液透析早期对终末期肾病(ESRD)患者心脏结构的影响。方法 32例ESRD患者,分别在进入血液透析前及进入血液透析后半年至1年内行超声心动图检查,比较血液透析前后各参数的变化,同时选取29例慢性肾脏病(CKD)3～4期非透析患者作为对照组。结果与血液透析前比较,ESRD患者血液透析后的干体质量[(60.8±8.8)kg比(64.7±10.3)kg,P=0.004]及体质指数[(22.68±2.35)kg/m~2比(24.08±2.32)kg/m~2,P=0.004]明显下降。收缩压轻度升高,舒张压显著升高[(84.67±11.14)mm Hg比(77.33±9.17)mm Hg,P<0.05]。血白蛋白[(38.73±2.42)g/L比(34.07±3.75)g/L,P<0.05]、血红蛋白[(111.50±12.85)g/L比(83.73±13.65)g/L,P<0.05]均显著上升。对照组左心室肥厚(LVH)发生率37.93%,血液透析前组71.88%,血液透析后组50%。血液透析前ESRD患者的左心室质量指数(LVMI)较对照组显著升高[(152.01±44.37)g/m~2比(120.68±44.60)g/m~2],血液透析后下降为(135.98±34.87)g/m~2,与透析前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。血液透析前ESRD患者的左心房直径[(40.75±7.11)mm比(34.97±5.80)mm]、室间隔厚度[(11.63±1.48)mm比(10.66±2.02)mm]、左心室后壁厚度[(11.56±1.46)mm比(10.31±1.56)mm]、左心室舒张末直径[(48.28±5.53)mm比(45.62±4.64)mm]和左心室舒张末容积[(110.81±29.45)ml比(96.83±22.74)ml]较对照组明显增大(均为P<0.05),血液透析后与透析前比较,室间隔厚度[(10.84±1.25)mm比(11.63±1.48)mm]和左心室后壁厚度[(10.88±1.18)mm比(11.56±1.46)mm]显著下降(均为P<0.05)。结论 ESRD患者LVH发病率高,部分LVH在血液透析早期可以逆转。     

高血压心肌肥厚患者心脏交感神经分布与勿动蛋白A表达变化的关系

目的探讨高血压心肌肥厚患者心脏交感神经分布与神经元轴突生长抑制因子勿动蛋白A(neurite out-growth inhibitor-A,Nogo-A)的表达变化。方法从我院老年患者尸体标本库中,随机入选男性高血压患者10例,并根据患者去世前1周心脏超声结果分为心肌肥厚组4例和非心肌肥厚组6例。检测超声心动图,并计算左心室重量指数。免疫组织化学分析测定酪氨酸羟化酶(tyrosine hydroxylase,TH)与Nogo-A的表达。结果与非心肌肥厚组比较,心肌肥厚组患者室间隔厚度、左心室后壁厚度、左心室重量指数明显升高(P<0.05);心肌肥厚组患者心肌TH阳性表达明显降低[(6.35±3.85)%υs(22.17±8.19)%,P<0.05],Nogo A表达明显增加[(11.34±7.16)%υs(2.17±4.10)%,P<0.05]。心肌肥厚患者心肌Nogo-A表达与心肌TH表达呈负相关(r=-0.33,P<0.05)。结论老年高血压心肌肥厚患者心肌交感神经分布减低,然而心肌神经元轴突生长抑制因子Nogo-A表达增加,两者间存在密切相关性。     

原发性高血压患者左心房功能的研究

目的 :应用声学定量 (AQ)技术 ,研究原发性高血压患者左心房功能改变。方法 :正常对照组 2 0例 ,原发性高血压左心室心肌重量指数 (LVMI)正常组 3 2例 ,原发性高血压左心室肥厚组 16例 ,采用AQ技术 ,测量左心房射血分数、管道容积、存储容积。结果 :左心室肥厚组的左心房射血分数及存储容积均高于正常对照组 ,均有极显著差异 (P均 <0 0 1) ;管道容积左心室肥厚组低于正常对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ;左心室肥厚组和LVMI正常组的管道容积分别为 ( 4 0 7± 12 3 3 )ml、( 13 93±14 3 4)ml,有显著差异 (P <0 0 5 )。LVMI正常组和正常对照组的存储容积分别为 ( 5 1 2 4± 19 14 )ml、( 2 9 4 6± 8 4 5 )ml ,有极显著差异 (P <0 0 0 1)。结论 :原发性高血压患者左心房助力泵功能和储存器功能代偿性增强 ,管道功能减低 ,左心室心肌肥厚时尤为明显 ,AQ技术为左心房功能的评价提供了无创性新方法。     

卡维地洛对急性心肌梗死大鼠血流动力学和心肌胶原含量的影响

目的研究卡维地洛(Carvedilol)对大鼠急性心肌梗死(AMI)后血流动力学的影响及其与心肌组织中胶原含量的关系。方法23只AMI术后存活的雄性SD大鼠随机分为AMI对照组(n=11)和卡维地洛治疗(Carvedilol)组(n=12),另设假手术组(n=11)。给药6周后测量室间隔超声背向散射参数(平均背向散射积分标化值IBS%,背向散射积分周期变化值CVIB)及血流动力学参数、心功能指标。结果(1)与假手术组相比,AMI组大鼠SBP、DBP、LVSP及±dp/dtmax及其校正值(±dp/dtmax/LVSP)均显著降低,LVEDP显著增高,高频超声检测显示IBS%显著升高,CVIB显著降低(均为P<0.05)。(2)与AMI组相比,Carvedilol治疗组大鼠SBP、DBP及LVSP均未进一步降低(P>0.05),LVEDP显著降低,±dp/dtmax及其校正值(±dp/dtmax/LVSP)显著升高,高频超声检测显示IBS%显著降低,CVIB显著升高(均P<0.05)。结论第3代β受体阻滞剂Carvedilol的干预有助于恢复AMI大鼠受损的左室功能,这可能与其抑制非梗死区心肌胶原过度沉积有关。     

老年高血压患者血压变异性与靶器官损害的关系

目的探讨老年高血压患者血压变异性(BPV)与靶器官损害的关系。方法选择133例老年人群临床资料,分为高血压组98例和对照组35例,进行24 h动态血压监测,比较2组24 h、昼间、夜间收缩压和舒张压的平均值及标准差,以标准差代表BPV的值。根据昼间收缩压标准差的第50百分位数将高血压组分为昼间高BPV组48例和昼间低BPV组50例,比较2组的危险因素、颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)、左心室重量指数(LVMI)和微量白蛋白尿。结果高血压组24 h、昼间、夜间收缩压和收缩压变异性明显高于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01);昼间高BPV组IMT、LVMI明显高于昼间低BPV组[(1.09±0.44)mm vs(0.94±0.17)mm,P<0.05;(239.97±52.87)g/m~2 vs(208.41±46.10)g/m~2,P<0.01]。多元线性回归分析显示,昼间收缩压变异性与颈总动脉IMT、LVMI独立相关。结论老年高血压患者BPV较高,昼间收缩压变异性是颈总动脉IMT增厚和左心室肥厚的预测指标。     

Diagnostic value of carotid intima-media thickness and plaque score for predicting target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension

Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) assessed by ultrasonography is regarded as an early predictor of general arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension. However, the methods of measuring IMT have not been globally standardized, and it remains unclear whether conventional measurement of IMT represents the prevalence of hypertensive target organ damage. In this study, we verified the association between several commonly used carotid ultrasonographical parameters and the severity of hypertensive target organ damage (retinal arteriosclerosis, microalbuminuria, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)). Carotid ultrasonography, echocardiography, urinalysis, and funduscopy were performed in 184 patients (64 +/- 12 years, 96 males and 88 females) with various stages of essential hypertension. Carotid arteriosclerosis was assessed using four methodologically different methods: conventional-IMT, maximum-IMT (Max-IMT), Mean-IMT, and Plaque Score (the sum of all plaque thicknesses). Age and all carotid ultrasonographical parameters were significantly associated with albuminuria, retinal arteriosclerosis, and left ventricular mass index. High-sensitivity CRP was significantly correlated with retinopathy and LVH. Carotid parameters in patients with histories of cardiovascular events were significantly greater in those without events. Among all carotid parameters, Max-IMT showed the highest correlation coefficient of the severity of target organ damage, and showed significant association with CRP. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that Max-IMT was the independent factor for predicting target organ damage. Max-IMT is suggested to be the most reliable and simplest parameter for predicting hypertensive target organ damage including microangiopathy in patients with essential hypertension.     

Usefulness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in kidney disease

High blood pressure is both a cause and a manifestation of renal disease. It has an increasing prevalence among renal patients renal function is declining. Blood pressure is not a constant value, but it shows a high intrinsic and extrinsic variability. It is common to find striking discordances between blood pressure values and target organ damage. The average values obtained through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) are better related with cardiovascular morbility and mortality than office measurement, even in renal disease patients. We report the experience with ABPM on 51 renal patients. None of them was on renal replacement therapy. In 7 out of 14 non treated patients ABPM showed clinic hypertension only. Mean age of truly hypertensive patients was higher, but this difference was not significant (normotensive 31.7 +/- 17.1; hypertensive 49.4 +/- 17.9 years, p < 0.1). There were no sex differences (normotensive, 5 males and 2 females; hypertensive, 4 males and 3 females). Three normotensive patients had chronic renal failure, and as did 6 hypertensive patients (p < 0.1). There were no differences in night-time drop either for systolic (normotensive 3.7 +/- 3.5 hypertensive 6.1 +/- 8.9%) or for diastolic blood pressure (normotensive 10.4 +/- 4.7 hypertensive 6.2 +/- 8.9%). Thirty-seven patients who were on antihypertensive drug treatment: 23 (68.2%) showed hypertension after the ABPM and 14 (37.8%) have normal blood pressure values, more over, 4 of these 14 patients showed hypotension. There were neither age differences between the groups (normotensive 49.0 +/- 12.5, hypertensive 51.9 +/- 15.4 years), nor sex differences (normotensive 9 males and 5 females, hypertensive 11 males and 12 females). The prevalence of renal failure was similar (normotensive, 85.7%; hypertensive, 82.6%). Mean night-time drop was not different (SBP, normotensive 6.1 +/- 7.6 hypertensive 7.2 +/- 7.6%; DBP, normotensive 9.0 +/- 8.3 hypertensive 13.5 +/- 7.6%). ABPM is a helpful diagnostic tool in renal disease as in the non complicated essential hypertension patient, both for experimental and for clinical purposes.     

Inflammation and Apoptosis in Hypertension. Relevance of the Extent of Target Organ Damage

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between inflammatory and apoptotic parameters and the severity and extent of target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: We studied 159 consecutive patients with treated essential hypertension. An exhaustive evaluation of damage to heart, kidney, and blood vessels was performed and plasma levels of inflammatory (interleukin 6 and soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha type 2) and apoptotic markers (soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha type 1 and soluble Fas receptor) were determined. Patients were categorized into four groups: a) no organ damage (33 patients); b) 1 organ damaged (52 patients); c) 2 organs damaged (44 patients), and d) 3 organs damaged (30 patients). RESULTS: Serum levels of interleukin 6, soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha type 1 and soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha type 2 were higher in patients with target organ damage than in hypertensive patients without organ damage. Increasing levels of these molecules were progressively associated with an increase in the number of organs damaged, and the highest levels were observed in the group with damage to 3 organs (heart, kidney, and blood vessels). There were no differences in soluble Fas receptor levels between groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, abdominal circumference, interleukin 6, and soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha type 1 were independently related to the number of target organs damaged. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive hypertensive disease with involvement of more target organs was associated with greater inflammatory and apoptotic activation in these hypertensive patients. Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org.     

老年高血压病人血压变异性分析

目的：探讨老年高血压病患血压变异性与靶器官损害及年龄的关系。方法：对478例老年高血压病人及229例非高血压进行了24小时动态血压监测，以测得的血压标准差作为血压变异性指标。结果：高血压病患的24小时血压变异性大于非高血压（P＜0．05），高血压病人中靶器官损害的24小时血压变异性大于无损害的（P＜0．05）；各年龄组间的血压变异性无明显差别。结论：老年高血压病人24小时血压变异性增加，靶器官损害的24小时变异性更高。     

老年高血压病人血压变异性分析

目的　　探讨老年原发性高血压患者血压变异性与靶器官损害及年龄的关系。方法　对 478例老年高血压病人及 2 2 9例健康查体者 (非高血压者 )进行了 2 4h动态血压监测 ,以测得的血压标准差作为血压变异性指标。结果　原发性高血压患者的 2 4h血压变异性大于非高血压者 ;高血压病人靶器官损害者的 2 4h血压变异性大于无损害者 ;各年龄组间的血压变异性无明显差别。结论　老年高血压病人 2 4h血压变异性增加 ,靶器官损害者的 2 4h血压变异性高 ,未发现血压变异性与年龄相关     

Relation between left ventricular geometric alteration and extracardiac target organ damage in hypertensive patients.

To study the relation between left ventricular geometric alteration and extracardiac target organ damage in hypertensive patients. A retrospective study of 298 patients with essential hypertension was performed. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were calculated using echocardiographic data. Patients were divided into four groups based on their left ventricular geometric pattern as determined using LVMI and RWT. Each of the four left ventricular geometric patterns was associated with a different degree of extracardiac organ damage. In multivariate analysis, LVMI and RWT showed strong, significant correlation to retinal changes and increases in serum creatinine levels, respectively. Alteration of left ventricular geometry resulted in an increase in the degree of extracardiac target organ damage. Echocardiographic classification of left ventricular geometry can further stratify hypertensive patients according to risk, and possibly according to the indications for intensive treatment.     

Association between salt sensitivity and target organ damage in essential hypertension

Cardiovascular events occur more frequently in sodium-sensitive patients with essential hypertension; recently, sodium sensitivity was shown to be a cardiovascular risk factor independently of other classic factors such as blood pressure and cigarette smoking This study examined the relationship between salt sensitivity status and target organ damage in hypertensive patients. Ninety-six patients (35 men, 61 women) with moderate essential hypertension were studied for salt sensitivity status and the presence of target organ damage, including hypertensive retinopathy, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and urinary albumin excretion (UAE). Four different patterns of left ventricular anatomic adaptation were identified by categorizing patients according to the values of left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness by the means of echocardiography. Forty-five (47%) patients were shown to be salt-sensitive, in contrast to 51 (53%) salt-resistant subjects. Serum creatinine and UAE were significantly higher in the group of salt-sensitive hypertensives (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), and left atrial index (LAI) were all significantly higher in the group of salt-sensitive hypertensive patients. Concentric hypertrophy was significantly more prevalent in the salt-sensitive group (37.8% v 11.8%; P < .01). The prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy in the salt-sensitive group was 84.4%, in contrast to 59.6% in the salt-resistant group (P < .01). Multivariate regression analysis revealed salt sensitivity as a significant predictor of LVMI, RWT, and UAE, independently of age, body mass index, and mean blood pressure. In conclusion, salt-sensitive hypertensive patients are more prone to develop severe hypertensive target organ damage that may enhance their risk of renal and cardiovascular morbidity.     

The chest radiograph. A useful investigation in the evaluation of hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND: The assessment of target organ damage is important in the evaluation of a hypertensive patient as it provides information on the severity of the hypertension and the cardiovascular risk assessment. The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of the chest radiograph in the assessment of target organ damage in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Unselected patients attending an academic hypertension clinic were studied. The cardiothoracic ratio and the aortic knob width were measured and compared to other markers of target organ damage. The aortic width was measured in age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: Seventy-two hypertensive and 77 age- and sex-matched normotensives were evaluated. There was a highly significant difference the aortic knob width between the normotensive and hypertensive patients (3.28 cm v 3.69 cm, P <.0001). The aortic knob width was significantly correlated with age in normotensive and hypertensive patients, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and all markers of target organ damage except the electrocardiogram (ECG) voltage. The cardiothoracic ratio was also significantly correlated with age and other markers of target organ damage, but not clinic BP. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only the cardiothoracic ratio (r = 0.34, P <.02) and the ECG voltage (r = 0.58, P <.00005) were independently correlated with left ventricular mass. CONCLUSIONS: The chest radiograph provides important predictive information of associated target organ damage in hypertensive patients.     

Endothelins and markers of renal damage in recently diagnosed hypertensive patients

Endothelin has been identified as a potent vasoconstrictor. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary endothelins and their relation to other markers of renal damage, such as microalbuminuria, creatinine, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG), in a group of recently diagnosed (less than 1 year) hypertensive subjects and a control group. We selected 50 subjects and divided them into two groups: 27 hypertensive patients (15 females and 12 males) without previous pharmacologic therapy, and 23 healthy, normotensive subjects (12 females and 11 males). All patients underwent a history and physical examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiography, funduscopy, and hematologic and biochemical analyses. Endothelins, microalbuminuria, creatinine, and NAG values were also determined in 24-hour urine samples. Creatinine, microalbuminuria, and NAG values were found to be higher in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects. The hypertensive group showed a nonsignificant elevation of total endothelin. In conclusion, the determination of elevated urinary endothelin does not appear to be an early marker of organ damage in hypertensive subjects. The urinary excretion of protein, creatinine, and NAG was higher in hypertensive subjects. A positive correlation was found between the urinary excretion of endothelins and markers of renal damage, microalbuminuria and NAG values. The relationship between endothelins and hypertension was without statistical significance.     

Endothelins and Markers of Renal Damage in Recently Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients

Endothelin has been identified as a potent vasoconstrictor. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary endothelins and their relation to other markers of renal damage, such as microalbuminuria, creatinine, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), in a group of recently diagnosed (less than 1 year) hypertensive subjects and a control group. We selected 50 subjects and divided them into two groups: 27 hypertensive patients (15 females and 12 males) without previous pharmacologic therapy, and 23 healthy, normotensive subjects (12 females and 11 males). All patients underwent a history and physical examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiography, funduscopy, and hematologic and biochemical analyses. Endothelins, microalbuminuria, creatinine, and NAG values were also determined in 24-hour urine samples. Creatinine, microalbuminuria, and NAG values were found to be higher in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects. The hypertensive group showed a nonsignificant elevation of total endothelin. In conclusion, the determination of elevated urinary endothelin does not appear to be an early marker of organ damage in hypertensive subjects. The urinary excretion of protein, creatinine, and NAG was higher in hypertensive subjects. A positive correlation was found between the urinary excretion of endothelins and markers of renal damage, microalbuminuria and NAG values. The relationship between endothelins and hypertension was without statistical significance.