Erhabor Osaro
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Nigeria
Title: L-arginine and nitric oxide levels among hypertensive patient in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Erhabor Osaro
Abstract
Hypertension is a global public health problem that adversely affects the health status of individuals, families and communities. L-arginine and nitric oxide 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 and nitric oxide L-arginine and nitric oxide levels was significantly lower among the hypertensive subjects compared to those of the non-hypertensive controls (p=0.04 and 0.05) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the L-arginine and nitric oxide levels of the hypertensive subjects based on gender and age group (p=0.87 and 0.22) and (p=0.23 and 0.47) respectively. L-arginine level was significantly higher among married hypertensive subjects compared to single subjects (p=0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in the nitric oxide level of hypertensive subjects based on marital status (p=0.81). The difference in the L-arginine and nitric oxide level of hypertensive subjects based on ethnicity was not statistically significant (p=0.57 and 0.25) respectively. The mean nitric oxide level was significantly higher among hypertensive subjects with mildly raised blood pressure compared to those with high blood pressure (p=0.01). The findings in this study confirm that that the level of L-arginine and nitric oxide is lower among hypertensive subjects compared to non-hypertensive controls. It may be necessary to routine prescribe nitric oxide generating L-arginine supplement to hypertensive patient. It may be necessary to carry out public enlightenment of hypertensive patients in the area on the need to maintain a balanced diet containing sufficient level of L-arginine.