Arterial hypertension and oxidative stress in patients with coronary artery disease

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. Arterial hypertension belongs to a group of risk factors that are clearly associated with an increased risk of developing CAD and for which there is evidence that their treatment reduces the incidence of coronary events. A number of studies have shown the causal link between arterial hypertension and the emergence and development of CAD. Recently, oxidative stress has been considered the cause of arterial hypertension. Aim: To determine whether arterial hypertension, as a risk factor for CAD has an impact on biological markers of oxidative stress (concentration of oxidants and activity of antioxidant enzymes). Material and methods: The study included patients with CAD, divided in two groups: CAD patients with proven arterial hypertension and CAD patients without proven arterial hypertension. Biological markers of oxidative stress: concentration of oxidants (malondialdehyde and total hydroperoxides) and activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxide) were examined in all subjects. Blood samples were collected by venopuncture from patients and immediately processed and analyzed according to the appropriate laboratory reference values. Results: The study included 300 patients with CAD over a three-month period. Patients were mean age 62.97 ± 11.18 years and predominantly males (194 males, 64.67% and 106 females, 35.33%, respectively). Of the total number of patients with CAD, 187 (62.3%) were with arterial hypertension. Concentration of oxidants (malondialdehyde and total hydroperoxides) was lower in patients with CAD and without proven arterial hypertension, and antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) was increased in same patients. Conclusion: There are studies supporting the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The results of our study suggest that arterial hypertension may not play a major role in the increase in oxidative damage. Therefore, in the future are needed more studies to confirm and link the relationship between oxidative stress and arterial hypertension as a factor for the development of CAD. Key words: arterial hypertension, oxidative stress, coronary artery disease