Uric Acid and Endothelial Dysfunction in Essential Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Uric acid (UA) can stimulate the biosynthesis of c-reactive protein (CRP), and that might be one of the mechanisms underlying the endothelial dysfunction. Several studies showed an independent link between UA and CRP suggest that chronic exposure to mild hyperuricemia may be a factor that contributes to micro inflammation and raised CRP in individuals with essential hypertension.
Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the serum uric acid, CRP , total cholesterol and endothelial dysfunction in patient with essential hypertension .
Patients and methods: Twenty patients with essential hypertension and fifteen apparently subjects matched for age and weight have been included in this study, Uric acid and total cholesterol were determined by enzymatic methods. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination in human serum was used.
Results: The data obtained showed that the serum levels of uric acid, CRP and total cholesterol were significantly higher in patients with hypertension than in healthy controls.
Conclusion: The conclusion was that hyperuricemia in individuals with essential hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction. This association, which is independent of classical risk factors like total cholesterol, CRP, supports the hypothesis that UA plays a significant role in this alteration in humans.