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Associations between plasma antioxidants and hypertension in a community-based sample of 415 Australians aged 60–64

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 19, pages 219–226 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

It has been suggested that increased oxidative stress may be both a cause as well as a consequence of hypertension. In vivo oxidation of low-density lipoproteins by oxygen-free radicals may increase hypertension-related atherogenesis, and antioxidants may be beneficial in this regard. Previous findings concerning associations between serum measures of antioxidants and hypertension have however been inconsistent. Plasma levels of β-carotene, Vitamin A, E, uric acid, homocysteine and total antioxidant capacity, as well as two markers of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls, were measured in morning fasting blood samples provided by 415 Australians aged 60–64 years, selected randomly from the community. Participants also provided information on sociodemographic attributes, mental and physical health, and provided two measures of resting blood pressure, allowing a diagnosis of definite or borderline hypertension. Those with hypertension had lower levels of β-carotene and higher levels of uric acid and MDA compared to normotensive participants. The last two of these associations persisted when the analyses controlled for lifestyle and health factors. The findings from this study offer limited support for the proposition that lower antioxidant status and higher oxidative stress are associated with hypertension, and suggest the need for longitudinal studies to examine causality and intervention studies to determine the benefit of antioxidants in this group.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Helen Christensen, Bryan Rodgers, Karen Maxwell, Trish Jacomb and the team of interviewers from the Centre for Mental Health Research for their assistance with this study. We also thank Paul Stathakis, Department of Clinical Chemistry, for his technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    R A Parslow & A F Jorm

  2. School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    P Sachdev

  3. Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    P Sachdev

  4. Department of Clinical Chemistry, SEALS, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    C Salonikas, O Lux & D Naidoo

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  1. R A Parslow
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  2. P Sachdev
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  3. C Salonikas
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  4. O Lux
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  6. D Naidoo
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Correspondence to R A Parslow.

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Parslow, R., Sachdev, P., Salonikas, C. et al. Associations between plasma antioxidants and hypertension in a community-based sample of 415 Australians aged 60–64. J Hum Hypertens 19, 219–226 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001809

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001809

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