Abstract
BACKGROUND: Platelets carry angiogenic growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). Although platelet-derived growth factors are important in the pathogenesis and metastasis of malignancy, their role in the pathogenesis of complications and the response to treatment in hypertension is less known. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that there are differences in VEGF and Ang-1 in the plasma and within platelets from patients with hypertension, and that levels change with successful treatment. METHODS: We recruited 42 previously untreated patients with hypertension (25 male; mean age 53 years) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Plasma VEGF, Ang-1 and soluble P-selectin (sPsel, an index of platelet activation), and total platelet [platelet VEGF (pVEGF) and platelet Ang-1 (pAng-1)] were measured by ELISA. The patients were then treated for 6 months with amlodipine-based antihypertensive therapy, achieving a mean blood pressure below 140/80 mmHg. RESULTS: Patients with hypertension had significantly higher levels of plasma sPsel (P =0.01), VEGF (P <0.001) and Ang-1 (P = 0.01), as well as pVEGF (P <0.001) and pAng-1 (P =0.02). The levels of plasma and platelet angiogenic growth factors were significantly reduced after antihypertensive treatment (VEGF, P = 0.01; pVEGF, P <0.001; Ang-1, P <0.001; pAng-1, P = 0.04). There were no correlations with blood pressure or the levels of sPsel. CONCLUSION: Levels of plasma and intra-platelet VEGF and Ang-1 are increased in hypertension and are decreased with treatment. Platelet levels of VEGF and Ang-1 may be related to platelet activation but may also involve other mechanisms (for example, the general vascular and haemodynamic changes) that are seen in hypertension.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 331-7 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Internal Medicine |
Volume | 256 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2004 |
Keywords
- platelet
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- angiopoietin-1
- hypertension
- calcium channel blockers
- P-selectin