Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Relationship between Uric Acid and Endothelial Function in Hypertensive Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Xiaodong Huang, Xiaoqi Cai, Wuhong Zheng, Yihua Shen and Liangdi Xie

Aim: To investigate the association between uric acid (UA) and endothelial function in Chinese hypertensive patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MS).

Methods: 615 hypertensive patients were enrolled, all hypertensives were divided into two groups: hypertensives with MS (MS group, n=239) and hypertensives without MS (NMS group, n=376). 87 age- and sex-matched normotensives served as controls (NC group). Flow-mediated (endothelium-dependent) dilatations (FMD), nitroglycerin-induced (endothelium-independent) dilatation (EID) in the brachial artery were assessed by highresolution ultrasonography. UA was detected by urease indophenol.

Results: A trend of increase in UA concentration was found among NC, NMS and MS group ((323.77 ± 104.49) μmol/l vs. (353.63 ± 92.83) μmol/l vs. (390.90 ± 101.42) μmol/l, p<0.001). There was a significant difference in FMD (control: (12.03 ± 4.51)% vs. NMS:(8.98 ± 4.32)% vs. MS:(8.23 ± 4.58)%, p<0.001) among groups. After stratification of gender, lower FMD was only seen in male hypertensives with MS accompanied by hyperuricemia <60 years old ((9.98 ± 5.78)% vs (7.12 ± 4.49)%, p<0.05); Pearson correlation analysis showed that the FMD was negatively correlated with UA (r=-0.314, p<0.01); Finally, logistic regression analysis showed that a 50 μmol/L increase in UA levels carried a 41.1% higher risk for endothelial dysfunction in this cohort.

Conclusions: A higher UA level is related to poorer endothelial function in hypertensives with MS. Increased UA can be used as an alternative indicator for monitoring endothelial function and preventing vascular damage in male hypertensives with MS aged less than 60 years old.