Abstract
Hypertension is a global health burden causing immense morbidity and mortality especially from the complications of end-organ damage. It is expected to affect 29% of the population by the year 2025. Hypertension is usually asymptomatic; it is diagnosed by a disease of exclusion. Numerous factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, genetic predisposition etc. play roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are released into the circulation with the onset of changes in endothelium, even before the release of other routine vascular endothelial markers. EMPs mediate inflammation, thrombosis and vasoconstriction of blood vessels in hypertensives. This pilot study was undertaken to assess whether EMPs are early markers of endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertensive patients. The study was conducted as a large case control study in which 525 individuals were involved. It consisted of three study groups: Group I: individuals with normal blood pressure (JNC8), group II: hypertensives without evidence of end-organ damage and group III: hypertensives with evidence of end-organ damage. Homocysteine, hsCRP, fibrinogen, eNOS, oxLDL and other markers were measured. For analysis of EMPs a subset of individuals are taken from each group. Control group of 10 individuals who had homocysteine level more than15μmol/L was taken as Group I. Another 10 individuals were taken randomly of five each from groups II and III. EMPs were analyzed by flow cytometry and were identified as CD31 +, CD42 - microparticles with diameters < 1.0 mm. There was significant increase in EMPs (p = 0.035) in hypertensive individuals with end organ damage. Measurement of EMPs in hypertensive individuals could help physicians in identifying and initiating therapeutic interventions at a very early stage of the disease, thus improving the quality of life.