The association of red blood cell counts with endothelin-1 in African and Caucasian women

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2009 Feb;31(1):1-10. doi: 10.1080/10641960802409838.

Abstract

The literature shows an increase in endothelin-1 with increased levels of erythrocytes. There are also indications that inflammation and elevated endothelin-1 levels interact with erythropoiesis. In this study, the association of erythrocytes and endothelin-1 in women of different ethnicities was investigated. Blood pressure, vascular resistance, and C-reactive protein (P = 0.09) were significantly higher in the African women (n = 102) compared to the Caucasian women (n = 115), while arterial compliance was significantly lower in the African women with no significant differences for endothelin-1. In single, partial, and multiple regression analyses, there was a significant positive correlation between the red blood cell count and log endothelin-1 in the Caucasians while in the Africans there was a weak negative correlation. This is an indication that endothelin-1 might interfere with erythrocyte production in Africans with higher levels of inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black People
  • Blood Pressure
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Endothelin-1 / blood*
  • Erythrocyte Count*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • South Africa
  • Vascular Resistance
  • White People

Substances

  • Endothelin-1
  • C-Reactive Protein