[Study on the correlation between hypertension and the indexes of vascular endothelial function among people living in the community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the features of hypertension and vessel endothelium functional parameter in people living at the community level as well as the risk factors of hypertension. Differences of angiotensin II (Ang II ), prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) among normal group and three hypertension groups were also studied. METHODS: By cluster sampling, 1134 adult Han people were selected from the residential communities. Medical history was documented and measurements of body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were performed. Serum NO levels were determined by cadmium reduction method while plasma Ang II and PGI2 concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay. SPSS 13.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The total ratio of hypertension from people living at the community was 44.5%, with the standardized prevalence of hypertension as 15.3%. With the increase of age, the prevalence of hypertension also increased. Overweight and obesity seemed to be independent risk factors for hypertension. History of smoking and drinking and gender did not enter the logistic equation for hypertension. The amount of plasma Ang II concentration of the three hypertension groups was significantly lower than that in the normal group while the lowest group appeared to from the one that hypertension was under control. The NO and PGI2 levels of the two groups whose hypertension had been known were significantly higher than in the normal group while the difference between the group whose hypertension had not been measured and the normal group was not found. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension had been increasing. Control of body weight seemed to be a useful way for prevention of hypertension. We assumed that the negative feedback regulation of renin-angiotonin-aldosterone system in hypertension patient still existed which called for the research on the mechanism of hypertension.

Prevalence and risk factors of middle cerebral artery stenosis in asymptomatic residents in Rongqi County, Guangdong.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerosis is the commonest vascular lesion for ischemic stroke in Asians. Most research on risk factors for middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis has been conducted in symptomatic patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. The present study aimed to investigate risk factors for MCA stenosis in an asymptomatic population in Rongqi County in Southern China. METHODS: We assessed 1,068 asymptomatic subjects over 50 years of age by transcranial Doppler. Medical history documentation and investigation of biochemical markers were performed for each subject. Multivariant, unconditioned, logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the risk factors associated with MCA stenosis. RESULTS: MCA stenosis was found in 63 subjects (5.9%). Male gender, advancing age, hypertension, diabetes and systolic blood pressure were significant risk factors for MCA stenosis (p < 0.001). Based on logistic regression analyses, 4 factors emerged as independent risk factors (p < 0.001) of MCA stenosis: male gender [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49-4.66, OR = 2.63], age (95% CI = 1.01-1.06, OR = 1.04), hypertension (95% CI = 4.57-18.35, OR = 9.16) and diabetes mellitus (95% CI = 3.09-11.29, OR = 5.9). CONCLUSION: MCA stenosis is relatively common among asymptomatic Chinese subjects. Male gender, advanced age, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for MCA stenosis.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor of middle cerebral artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is considered to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine the relation between Hcy and cerebral artery stenosis in a large Chinese population. METHODS: We present data concerning 2,500 residents. Plasma was saved from 1,020 residents who were asymptomatic. Hcy concentration was measured by fluorescence ration biochemical assay kit, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) was assessed by Transcranial Doppler in these subjects. RESULTS: Fifty-six residents with MCA stenosis were included in this study. The remained 964 residents without stenosis were control. Analysis of the data revealed that the plasma concentration of Hcy (18.33+/-5.34 micromol/L), age (63.9+/-12.9) and systolic pressure (142.6+/-22.6 mmHg) in the stenotic group were increased (p<0.0001) compared with the control group (Hcy12.95+/-4.57 micromol/L, age 55.8+/-10.9, systolic pressure 126.3+/-20.3 mmHg). Based on logistic regression, 5 factors emerged as independent predictors of MCA stenosis: Hcy (OR=1.16, 95%confidence interval 1.14-1.26), male (OR=2.63, 95%CI 1.49-4.66), age (OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.07), hypertension (OR=9.16, 95%CI 4.57-18.35), diabetes mellitus (OR=5.90, 95%CI 3.09-11.29). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia might be one of the risk factors for cerebral artery stenosis. It may play a role in atherosclerosis and thrombosis.

[The analysis of plasma homocysteine among 1020 residents in community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) distributive characteristics in different sex and age groups of the community residents in Guangdong, and to analyze its associated factors as well as its effects on cerebral artery stenosis. METHODS: In this study, we presented data concerning 2500 residents who had undergone a systematic health checkup,including clinical and biologic examinations. Plasma was saved from 1020 residents who were asymptomatic but having TCD examination. Hcy concentration was measured by fluorescence ration biochemical assay kit. RESULTS: The average plasma Hcy levels of males (15.0 micromol/L+/-5.8 micromol/L) were significantly higher than those of females (12.4 micromol/L-I 3.9 micromol/L, P< 0.05). Hcy level increased parallel with age. The prevalence rate of hyperhomocysteinemia in males (47.2%) was higher than in females (23.2%). Hcy levels in MCA stenosis group (18.3 micromol/L+ 5.3 micromol/L) were significantly higher than that in control group (12.9 micromol/L+/- 4.6 micromol/L, P< 0.05). Based on logistic regression analysis, Hcy was only associated with sex and age, but not with blood lipids etc. CONCLUSION: Hcy levels were different in sex and age groups which emerged as independent predictors of hyperhomocysteinemia but had no association with blood lipids in the community residents, suggesting that hyperhomocysteinemia might worsen cerebral artery stenosis.