CHANGES IN L-ARGININE/NO PATHWAY OF PLATELET IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

To observe the changes in L Arginine /NO pathway of platelet in elderly patients with essential hypertension 20 elderly patients with essential hypertension and 15 healthy volunteers were entered for the study. The changes in L Arg transport, the activity of NOS and the production of NO - 2 were measured. Results showed that the activity of NOS and the production of NO - 2 were decreased, compared with those of healthy volunteers. The maximum transport velocity (Vmax) of L Arg transport in elderly patients with essential hypertension was 70% of healthy volunteers. No changes in Michaelis constant (Km) were found. This results suggested that function of L Arginine/NO pathway of platelet in patients with hypertersion is decreased. L Arginine/NO pathway of platelet played an important role in antithrombosis. Not only drugs to lower blood pressure should be given but also antiplatelet drugs to prevent thrombosis.