Background/Aims: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists have beneficial effects on impaired fibrinolytic activity of hypertensive patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of antialdosterone treatment on impaired fibrinolysis of hypertensive patients. Methods: Fourteen hypertensive outpatients and 14 normotensive healthy volunteers participated in this study. Blood samples for plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen were obtained at baseline in all patients and control subjects. Then all hypertensive patients used spironolactone 50 mg/day for a week. Blood samples were again obtained after a week of spironolactone treatment. Results: The mean basal plasma level of PAI-1 of hypertensive patients was higher than those of the normotensive control group (60.98 ± 4.2 vs. 24.09 ± 1.61 ng/ml, p < 0.01) The mean basal t-PA level was similar in the hypertensive and control subjects (7.49 ± 0.65 vs. 8.78 ± 0.92 ng/ml, p > 0.05). The mean PAI-1 level decreased after a week of spironolactone treatment (60.98 ± 4.2 vs. 42.99 ± 7.98 ng/ml, p < 0.05). The mean plasma t-PA level of hypertensive patients increased after spironolactone treatment (7.49 ± 0.65 vs. 11.09 ± 1.33 ng/ml, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that spironolactone improves impaired fibrinolysis in systemic hypertension. It provides evidence for a direct link between aldosterone and the fibrinolytic system in humans.

Keywords:
Aldosterone, Spironolactone, Hypertension, Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, Fibrinolysis, Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, Tissue plasminogen activator
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
2002
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.