Hypertension Drug may Restore Cardiovascular Function

[Angel]

A new study shows a drug used to treat high blood pressure in Europe may restore damaged cardiovascular functions in blacks.

Researchers at Ohio University say nebivolol can restore nitric oxide levels and reduce oxidative stress. Low nitric oxide levels and high oxidative stress can cause several health problems, including heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure.

Previous research shows blacks potentially have a better nitric oxide generating system than people of other ethnicities. But because of a molecular deficiency the system becomes self-destructive and puts the body in a diseased state. This creates high mortality rate of blacks between 43 and 64 years old -- five- to six-times higher than that of other ethnic groups.

Nebivolol is part of a new generation of beta-blockers the new study shows not only lowers blood pressure, but also restore the function of the nitric oxide system in cell samples.

"The drug restores correct balance between good nitric oxide and damaging oxidative stress, and can in fact restore the vital function of endothelial tissue to a level similar in other ethnic groups," says Tadeusz Malinski, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ohio University. "Previous treatments only slowed progression of the damage, while nebivolol may actually be able to correct the problems."

Researches are currently studying whether the drug can prevent damage to the cardiovascular system. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing nebivolol for use in the United States.