Effect of doxazosin on C-reactive protein plasma levels and on nitric oxide in patients with hypertension

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;47(4):508-12. doi: 10.1097/01.fjc.0000211743.93701.eb.

Abstract

Inflammation has been hypothesized to play a role in the development of hypertension. The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a well-studied marker of systemic inflammation that has a predictive power with regard to the development of hypertension. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that hs-CRP plasma levels are altered in hypertension. Moreover, the study was to assess whether chronic antihypertensive treatment with doxazosin would normalize hs-CRP and nitrites/nitrates. We measured plasma levels of hs-CRP and nitrites/nitrates in 44 normotensive subjects and in 44 patients with hypertension before and after doxazosin therapy for 4 months. hs-CRP plasma levels were significantly higher (P < 0.007) in untreated hypertensive group compared to controls. Significant decrease was observed for hs-CRP (P < 0.05) in hypertensive patients after antihypertensive treatment. Nitrites/nitrates were significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in the untreated hypertensive group compared to controls. A significant increase was observed for nitrites/nitrates (P < 0.05) in hypertensive patients after antihypertensive treatment. These results suggest that doxazosin treatment exerts anti-inflammatory effects in addition to its antihypertensive properties in hypertensive patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Doxazosin / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / metabolism*
  • Hypertension / pathology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Nitrates / blood
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitrites / blood

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Nitric Oxide
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Doxazosin