Interrelations of Endogenous Digoxin-like Factor, Basal Insulin and Microalbuminuria and Relation to Blood Pressure Level in Patients with Essential Hypertension

We studied the relationship of endogenous digoxinlike factor (EDLF) and basal insulin with microalbuminuria in between them and with the level of hypertension which might have a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The present study was carried out in 50 hypertensive patients and 10 normotensive subjects serving as control. There was no difference in age, gender, and mean weight between the groups. Absence of hepatic, endocrine, renal, or metabolic abnormality was required in persons enrolled in the study. Biochemical methods used were as follows; competitive immunoassay for plasma EDLF, radioimmunoassay for insulin, immunonephelometry for microalbuminuria. Statistically significant difference was found in the levels of serum sodium (p<0.0001), serum basal insulin (p<0,001), serum EDLF (p<0,001), and amounts of microalbuminuria (p<0,05) between the two groups. Serum sodium levels, basal insulin levels and amounts of microalbuminuria were statistically correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. The results indicate that hyperinsulinemia, increase in EDLF and salty diet have a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.