Hematology & Hematological Oncology

Hypertension is a major public health problem that adversely affects the health status of individuals, families and communities. L-arginine levels of a total of 90 consecutively- recruited hypertensive subjects and 50 age-matched non-hypertensive controls were studied. Plasma from subjects and control participants were analyzed for L-arginine. The mean values of L-arginine level were significantly lower among the hypertensive subjects 174.33±78.31 μmol/L, compared to those of the 50 non-hypertensive controls 237.82±261.16 μmol/L (p=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in the L-arginine levels of hypertensive subjects based on gender, age and ethnicity (p=0.87, 0.23 and 0.57), respectively. The L-arginine level was significantly higher among married hypertensive subjects (181.71±78.17 μmol/L) compared to single or unmarried subjects 130.62±65.99 μmol/L (p=0.03). The mean value of L-arginine level was significantly higher among hypertensive subjects with mild blood pressure 187.63±77.93 μmol/L, compared to those with high blood pressure 156.93±76.31 μmol/L. The difference however was not statistically significant (p=0.05). The findings from this study confirm that the level of L-arginine is lower among hypertensive subjects compared to non-hypertensive controls. Age, gender and ethnicity did not have a significant effect on the L-arginine levels of hypertensive subjects. L-arginine level was significantly lower among single hypertensive patient and those with markedly raised blood pressure. It is recommended that L-arginine supplement be prescribed to hypertensive patient as a prophylactic measure. There is need to enlighten hypertensive patients in the area on the need to maintain a balanced diet containing sufficient level of L-arginine.