[Influence of exercise on plasma concentration of neuropeptide Y in patients with essential hypertension].

UNLABELLED: Overactivity of sympathetic nervous system may lead to hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess changes of plasma concentration of neuropeptide Y in patients with hypertension after exercise.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study group consisted of 46 patients with hypertension; the control group consisted of 29 healthy individuals. Plasma concentrations of neuropeptide Y, aldosterone, catecholamines and plasma renin activity were assessed before and after exercise performed on the treadmill.

RESULTS

Plasma concentrations of aldosterone, catecholamines and plasma renin activity increased in both groups but plasma concentration of neuropeptide Y increased only in the hypertensive group (52.4 +/- 100.2 pg/ml vs 103.4 +/- 206.7 pg/ml, p < 0.05) but not in controls (51 +/- 36.3 pg/ml vs 70.8 +/- 134.9 pg/ml, p = NS).

CONCLUSION

The increase of plasma concentration of neuropeptide Y after exercise in hypertensive group, but not in controls, indicates sympathetic nervous system overactivity in the study group.