Effect of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor and prostacyclin analogue on arterial blood pressure, fibrinolysis and platelet function in patients with hypertension]

An effect of the specific thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor and stable prostacyclin analogue on arterial blood hypertension was investigated in 12 patients with spontaneous hypertension of II degree and in 12 healthy subjects. The patients were given a 3-hour intravenous infusion of Iloprost (Schering) in the dose of 2 ng/kg b.w. per minute and OKY-046 (ONO, Japan) in a single oral dose of 400 mg. Iloprost shortened euglobin fibrinolysis time without an effect on tissue plasminogen activator levels or blood pressure. OKY-046 decreased TBX2 to undetectable values, increased 6-keto-PGF1 alpha by 8-fold, and significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in hypertensive patients. Such effects may dependent upon an increase in the endogenous prostacyclin or an inhibition in thromboxane production in the affected arterial walls. If the present observations would be confirmed by double blind trial, they would constitute the base for new pharmacotherapy of hypertension.