OXIDATIVE STRESS INDICES AND CALCIUM LEVEL AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN KANO-NIGERIA (original) (raw)
Background: Hypertension is a multi-factorial disorder in which various physiological mechanisms participate to elevate Blood Pressure (BP). When imbalance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs, leading to accumulation of free radicals in cells, oxidative stress may result. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis and complications of hypertension and other diseases. It promotes atherosclerosis through various mechanisms.The interaction between the ROS and endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) thereby inhibiting vasodilation and hence hypertension, is an important mechanism.This preliminary study was aimed at evaluating the oxidative stress indices and serum calcium among hypertensive patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northwest Nigeria. Methods:The levels of serum malondialdeyde (MDA) as biomarker of oxidative stress, antioxidant vitamins and serum calcium were evaluated using standard methods in hypertensive as well as normotensive volunteers attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. A total of four hundred (400) volunteers (200normotensives and 200 hypertensive patients) were enrolled for the study. Results: Results indicated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum antioxidant vitamins(C and E) and calcium level in hypertensive patients compared to normotensives, while significant increase (p<0.05) inserum MDA level was observed in hypertensive subjects compared to the normotensive volunteers. Conclusion: This study suggests the increase of oxidative stress marker (MDA) in hypertensive patients with concomitant decreaseof the antioxidant vitamins and calcium leveland thus, disturbs oxidant-prooxidant equilibrium and hence may contribute to complications of hypertension.
Loading Preview
Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.