[Pharmacotherapy and analysis of gaseous mediators in hypertensive patients].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of using antihypertensive classes of drugs of the calcium channel antagonists and inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme in plasma concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide in patients with hypertension.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with quantitative approach conducted with hypertensive patients in use of antihypertensive classes of drugs: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel antagonists.

RESULTS

It was found that the concentration of plasma nitric oxide was significantly higher in hypertensive patients that were in use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (p<0.03) and the hydrogen sulphide concentration was significantly higher in hypertensive plasma in use of calcium channel antagonists (p<0.002).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that these medications have as additional action mechanism the improvement of endothelial dysfunction by elevate plasma levels of vasodilatory substances.