The Effect of Eprosartan on Hormones and Kidney Function in Patients With Essential Hypertension

The Effect of Eprosartan in Patients With Essential Hypertension on Renal Tubular Function and Vasoactive Hormones During Baseline Conditions and After Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System.

We, the investigators at Holstebro Hospital, want to test the hypothesis that eprosartan reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system in patients with essential hypertension - during baseline conditions and after activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 - 65 years.
• Body mass index less or equal to 30 kg/m2.
• Women must use oral hormonal anticonceptive drugs, use intrauterine anticonceptive device, be sterilized / hysterectomized or be postmenopausal.
• Arterial hypertension, defined by 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure above 125 mmHg systolic or above 80 mmHg diastolic.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of myocardial infarction.
• History of stroke.
• Heart failure.
• Endocrine organ disease.
• Lung disease.
• Clinically significant abnormal biochemical screening of the blood regarding: B-hemoglobin, P-sodium, P-potassium, P-creatinine (under 200 µmol/L will be accepted), P-albumin, p-bilirubin, p-alaninaminotransferase, P-alkaline phosphatase, p-cholesterol and B-glucose.
• Clinically significant abnormal screening of the urine regarding: albumin and glucose (protein excretion below 0.5 g/L will be accepted).
• Renovascular hypertension.
• Malignant disease.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Usage of medical drugs besides antihypertensives or statins.
• Drug abuse.
• Pregnancy or breast feeding.
• Known intolerance or allergic to eprosartan or sodium nitroprusside.
• Blood donation within 1 month of the start of the study.