Globally, hypertension (HTN) is one of the leading cause of premature death as per WHO estimates.1 HTN poses a major public health burden as it is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths in India Oxidative stress refers to a state of elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which occurs in several conditions such as hypertension that stimulate either ROS production or a deterioration in antioxidant defenses. Free radical like reactive oxygen species (ROS) were known to be involved in many cellular dysfunctions leading to the development of various lifestyle-related diseasesAlthough few researchers10,11 (Suematsu M 2005, Zwirska-Korczala K 2007) have reported the relationship between oxidative stress and the function of ghrelin, scanty information is available regarding the relationship between ghrelin and antioxidant status in hypertensives. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the association between Ghrelin and antioxidant status in hypertensives. Methodology: Blood Pressure was measured as per the JNC-7 recommendations, using Diamond digital monitor. BP cuff was tied on the right arm, with the subject in sitting position after five minutes of rest and then BP was measured. The AHA classification of hypertension was used to grade hypertension12 Subjects were advised to come for blood sample collection around 7am without having any breakfast the next day. 5ml of blood sample was collected, serum was separated labeled and stored in -200C for analysis. Ghrelin was estimated using sincere biotech ELISA kit E3091Hu HSN-38220090. Total antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) ASSAY colorimetric method13 Results: The study subjects were categorized into 3 groups. Group 1 – healthy volunteers; Group 2 – Grade 1 hypertensives (130–139mmHg SBP or 80–89mmHg DBP) and Group 3 – Grade 2 hypertensives (≥140mmHg SBP or ≥90mmHg DBP) The mean Ghrelin levels in Grade1 and Grade 2 hypertensives were lower when compared with healthy volunteers (Table.2, Fig.5) and it was statistically significant (P>0.0001) Similarly, the mean total antioxidant (TAO) levels in Grade 1 and Grade 2 hypertensives were lower when compared with healthy volunteers (Table.1, Fig.4) and it was statistically significant (p=0.000278). Fig.1 shows the correlation between Ghrelin levels and TAO levels. Antioxidant capacity was significantly (p=0.01) higher in the subjects with the higher levels of Ghrelin. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the redox balance changes in the blood of hypertensives. These changes may be compounded by Ghrelin which has an effect on vasodilator action of NO. Our results, therefore, highlight the need for more research to clarify the difference between oxidative stress linked to hypertension and the role of Ghrelin in hypertension. If proven, administration of ghrelin might become a unique new therapy for cardiovascular diseases.
Impact of precise modulation of reactive oxygen species levels on spermatozoa proteins in infertile men
