In humans, hypertension is considered a state of oxidative stress that can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and other hypertension-induced organ damages. The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative status, antioxidant activities, and oxidative stress by-products among Indian patients with various stages of hypertension. Lipid profile, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), C-reactive protein, electrolytes, and minerals were analyzed in the blood of newly diagnosed prehypertensives, stage I and II hypertensives (n = 20 in each group) and were compared to their age-matched normotensives. Elevated levels of lipid profile (except high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) were observed in stage I and II hypertensive patients. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were significantly (P < 0.05) lower, while TBARS and C-reactive protein were higher in prehypertensives, and stage I and II hypertensives. Significant (P <0.05) changes were also observed in the plasma Na(+) and K(+) concentrations among the hypertensive groups. Serum levels of zinc, copper, and magnesium were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in prehypertensives, and stage I and II hypertensives as compared to normotensives. The study indicated a strong association between blood pressure (BP) and oxidative stress-related parameters and suggests a possible role of oxidative stress in the development of elevated BP.

The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sesame oil in hypertensive patients who were on antihypertensive therapy either with diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide) or ss-blockers (atenolol). Thirty-two male and 18 female patients aged 35 to 60 years old were supplied sesame oil (Idhayam gingelly oil) and instructed to use it as the only edible oil for 45 days. Blood pressure, anthropometry, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were measured at baseline and after 45 days of sesame oil substitution. Substitution of sesame oil brought down systolic and diastolic blood pressure to normal. The same patients were asked to withdraw sesame oil consumption for another 45 days, and the measurements were repeated at the end of withdrawal period. Withdrawal of sesame oil substitution brought back the initial blood pressure values. A significant reduction was noted in body weight and body mass index (BMI) upon sesame oil substitution. No significant alterations were observed in lipid profile except triglycerides. Plasma levels of sodium reduced while potassium elevated upon the substitution of sesame oil. Lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) decreased while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, ss-carotene, and reduced glutathione (GSH) were increased. The results suggested that sesame oil as edible oil lowered blood pressure, decreased lipid peroxidation, and increased antioxidant status in hypertensive patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sesame oil in hypertensive diabetics medicated with atenolol (beta-blocker) and glibenclamide (sulfonylurea). This open label trial with two intervention periods comprised 22 male and 18 female patients, 45-65 years old, with mild to moderate hypertension and diabetes. Sesame oil (Idhayam Gingelly oil, V.V.V.& Sons, Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu, India) was supplied to the patients, who were instructed to use it in place of other cooking oils for 45 days. Blood pressure (BP), anthropometric measurements, plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles [total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG)], lipid peroxidation [thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)], electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), and enzymic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) and nonenzymic (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and reduced glutathione) antioxidants were measured at baseline and after 45 days of sesame oil substitution. The same patients were then switched over to other oils like palm or groundnut oils as their regular oils at random for another 45 days, and the investigations were carried out again at the end. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased remarkably. When oil substitution was withdrawn, BP values rose again. Body weight, body mass index, girth of waist, girth of hip, and waist:hip ratio were reduced upon substitution of sesame oil. Plasma glucose, HbA1c, TC, LDL-C, and TG were decreased. TBARS level was reduced, while the activities of enzymic and the levels of nonenzymic antioxidants were increased. Plasma sodium levels were reduced, while potassium levels were elevated. These results indicate that substitution of sesame oil as the sole edible oil has an additive effect in further lowering BP and plasma glucose in hypertensive diabetics.

This study assessed and compared the effects of Balsamodendron mukul (an extract of the gum of a small tree) and nifedipine (a calcium-channel-blocking reference drug) on blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, and phospholipids in randomly selected patients with essential hypertension. Fifty-seven newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were randomly divided into three groups. They received either single-blind B. mukul (1.5 g/d) or single-blind nifedipine (10 mg/d) double-blind therapy with nifedipine (10 mg/d) and B. mukul (1.5 g/d) for 6 weeks. These groups were compared with control subjects. On treatment with B. mukul, levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipid levels were significantly reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly elevated, as compared with untreated hypertensive patients. Combined therapy with B. mukul and nifedipine was more beneficial than the treatment with B. mukul alone. Our study suggests that B. mukul may be an effective antihypertensive and hypolipidemic agent.

BACKGROUND: Free oxygen radicals and insufficiency of antioxidants have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. We determined the effect of edible oils on blood pressure, lipid profiles and redox status in hypertensive patients given antihypertensive therapy (nifedipine-calcium channel blocker). METHODS: 530 patients medicated with nifedipine were divided into 3 groups (356 patients-sesame oil; 87 patients-sunflower oil; 47 patients-groundnut oil) and the control group (n=40) received only the drug, nifedipine. The respective oils were supplied to the patients and instructed to use as the only edible oil for 60 days, which comes to 35 g of oil/day/person. Blood pressure, lipid profiles [total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG)], lipid peroxidation [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], enzymatic [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and nonenzymatic [(vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and reduced glutathione (GSH)] in blood were measured at baseline and after 60 days of oil substitution. RESULTS: Patients with nifedipine alone or with respective oils had significantly lowered blood pressure. TC, LDL-C and TG decreased while HDL-C elevated in sesame and sunflower oil groups. Increases of HDL-C and TG were noted in groundnut oil group. TBARS levels reduced in all the groups whereas the reduction was remarkable in sesame oil group. Activities of SOD elevated in the 3 oil groups whereas GPx and CAT increased only in sesame oil group. Levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and GSH increased in sesame oil group whereas vitamin E and beta-carotene were elevated only in sunflower and groundnut oil groups. GSH increased in drug control group also. CONCLUSION: Among the 3 oils, sesame oil offers better protection over blood pressure, lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation and increases enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sesame oil as sole edible oil in hypertensive patients who were on medication with nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker. A sample of 396 hypertensive patients (aged 58 +/- 3.8 years; 215 men and 181 women) participated in this study. Forty patients were treated only with nifedipine while three hundred and fifty six patients were treated with nifedipine and instructed to use sesame oil in place of other edible oils for 60 days. The consumption of sesame oil remarkably reduced the (systolic and diastolic blood pressure from 166 +/- 4.2 and 101 +/- 3.1 to 134.2 +/- 3.4 and 84.6 +/- 3.0 respectively) blood pressure. The dosage of the drug also reduced, as there was a fall in blood pressure during sesame oil consumption. Plasma levels of sodium decreased while potassium and chloride increased significantly. Lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level significantly decreased while activities of enzymic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and concentrations of non-enzymic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and reduced glutathione) increased in nifedipine - sesame oil group. Nifedipine group showed a significant reduction in blood pressure, lipid peroxidation and improvement in reduced glutathione, however, the values are significantly lower than nifedipine - sesame oil group. These results suggest that dietary substitution of sesame oil, in nifedipine-taking hypertensive patients, has an additive effect in the reduction of blood pressure and plays an important role in the modulation of electrolytes and in the reduction of lipid peroxidation and elevation of antioxidants.