Uric Acid Lowering Effect of Losartan in Patients with Stage 1 Hypertension and Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

Abstract

- Hyperuricemia is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, particularly prevalent in individuals with hypertension. Addressing hyperuricemia holds the potential to mitigate the onset of hypertension. This investigation focused on exploring the uric acid-reducing capabilities of losartan in patients exhibiting stage 1 hypertension (as per JNC VIII) accompanied by asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Conducted as a community-based before-and-after interventional study, this research involved 27 male participants with stage 1 hypertension and asymptomatic hyperuricemia. The intervention comprised a treatment regimen of losartan, initially at 25 mg once daily for 4 weeks, followed by an escalation to 50 mg once daily for the subsequent 4 weeks, totaling 8 weeks of continuous therapy. Serum uric acid levels were assessed at baseline, after 4 weeks of 25 mg losartan, and following an additional 4 weeks of 50 mg losartan, utilizing UV-VIS Spectrophotometry. Comparative analysis with baseline data revealed a significant reduction in blood pressure with both losartan doses, although serum uric acid level did not show a significant decrease. Notably, the dose-dependent effect on serum uric acid level was evident, with a 1.80 % reduction after 4 weeks of 25 mg losartan and a 6.52 % reduction after 4 weeks of 50 mg losartan. In summary, while losartan demonstrated a dose-dependent effect in lowering uric acid levels, achieving normal range values may necessitate larger doses and extended therapy duration.