OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding assisting western medication and simple western medication on blood pressure and vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension (EH), and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSA total of 125 cases were randomly assigned into an observation group (62 cases, 2 dropping) and a control group (63 cases, 3 dropping). Oral administration of lotensin (10 mg, once a day) was applied in the control group. Based on the treatment as the control group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the observation group, once every two weeks, and six treatments was taken as one session. All the patients were treated for 3 months. The blood pressure and the vascular endothelial injury markers, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded before and after treatment in the two groups. In addition, the ET-1, NO and hsCRP were collected from 60 cases of healthy participants.

RESULTSThe diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure reduced after treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (<0.01, <0.05). Before treatment, compared with those of the healthy participants, ET-1 and hsCRP were higher but NO was lower in the observation group and the control group (all <0.05); after treatment, ET-1 and hsCRP were reduced and NO increased in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (all <0.05). After treatment, the differences of NO and hsCRP between the observation group and healthy participants were not significant (both >0.05). The marked effective rate was 70.0% (42/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 33.3% (20/60) in the control group (<0.05); the total effective rate was 96.7% (58/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 85.0% (51/60) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe vascular endothelial function is injured in EH patients. Based on lotensin treatment, acupoint catgut embedding could significantly improve blood pressure and vascular endothelial function.