Serum lipoprotein profile under different antihypertensive therapy.

Serum lipids of 80 patients with moderately severe essential hypertension under four different antihypertensive therapies were compared to ten matched hypertensives on a placebo, after eight weeks of therapy. The results in the serum lipid parameters measured after therapy showed with enalapril a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and a decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio. With benazepril a significant decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio was obtained. With the diuretic combination Epitens the effect on serum sodium and potassium was minimal. No significant changes were found in the lipoprotein profile following the administration of the placebo. Both angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (enalapril and benazapril) induced a significant improvement in the atherogenic ratio; as well as the calcium antagonist (isradipine), though to a less extent. The diuretic Epitens induced an insignificant deterioration of the atherogenic ratio.