ELEVATED LEVELS OF CIRCULATING CORTISOL IN YOUNG ADULT MALES WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION

摘要

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is associated with hypertension and has been identified in young normotensive subjects with a family history of hypertension (FH+).1 Very few studies have examined for endocrine markers of endothelial dysfunction in young normotensive FH+ subjects. Normotensive FH+ individuals (>36 years), have been shown to possess elevated plasma cortisol2 and amylin3 levels. It is not clear if elevated levels of cortisol, amylin, and other markers of endothelial dysfunction are also present in younger FH+. Aim: To examine for differences in circulating plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction in young males (aged 18-25 years) with (FH+) or without (FH-) a family history of hypertension. Cortisol, amylin, insulin, angiotensin II, C-reactive protein and metabolites of nitric oxide were compared.