The objective of the investigation was to assess whether circulating adhesion molecules, von Willebrand factor (vWf)) and endothelin-1 are elevated in patients with mild uncomplicated essential hypertension without further risk factors of atherosclerosis and whether they could serve as indicators of endothelial dysfunction in this form of hypertension. Furthermore the authors investigated the effect of ACE inhibitor treatment (ACEI), quinapril, on the level of these markers of endothelial dysfunction. The level of adhesion molecules [ intercellular cytoadhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin], von Willebrand s factor (vWf) and endothelin-1 were assessed in patients with mild essential hypertension without further cardiovascular risk factors or clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis before and after quinapril treatment (n=25) and compared with normotensive controls (n = 29). The results of the examinations provided evidence that contrary to controls the hypertensive subjects had significantly higher ICAM-1 levels (237.8 vs. 207.8 ng/ml, P = 0.02) vWf (118 vs. 106 IU/dl, p < 0.05) and endothelin-1 (5.81 vs. 5.15 fmol/ml, p < 0.05). Three-month treatment of hypertensive patients with ACEI led to a significant drop of endothelin-1 levels (5.81 vs. 5.26 fmol/ml, p = 0.01). The authors proved also an unequivocal decliningtre nd of other cytoadhesion molecules and vWf after ACEI treatment, the changes however were not statistically significant. From the investigation it may be concluded that also patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension without other cardiovascular risk factors or clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis have significantly elevated plasma levels of ICAM-1, vWf and endothelin-1. Higher concentrations of these factors suggest endothelial dysfunction already in mild forms of essential hypertension without further risk factors or cardiovascular complications. A significant drop of endothelin-1 and declining trend of the other investigated indicators suggest that ACEI treatment can favourably influence endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients also independently on reduction of the BP.

        Key words: Hypertension - Adhesion molecules - Von Willebrand factor - Endothelin-1 - Endothelial dysfunction - ACEI treatment