Reduced bcl-2 concentrations in hypertensive patients after lisinopril or nifedipine administration

In 30 patients with essential hypertension and 30 healthy control subjects, we evaluated blood concentrations of B cell leukemia-2 (bcl-2), a protoonc ogene that can reduce apoptosis. Bcl-2 concentrations were higher in hypert ensive than in normotensive subjects. The increase in pressure due to a col d presser test caused a further increase in blood bcl-2 concentrations, in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Treatment of hypertensive pati ents with hypotensive drugs caused a reduction in bcl-2 concentrations, whi ch was more marked after administration of lisinopril than of nifedipine, T he results suggest that concentrations of bcl-2 are increased in patients w ith hypertension, which could be an important factor in cell proliferation underlying posthypertensive vascular remodeling. Moreover, lisinopril and n ifedipine appear to be capable of reducing bcl-2 concentrations, with poten tially beneficial effects on vascular modifications in patients with hypert ension. (C) 1999 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.