Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effects of losartan on myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.METHODS: 35 essential hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were treated with losartan 50 -100 mg for 6 mon.Before and after the treatment,serum procollagen type Ⅲ(PC Ⅲ),laminin(LN),and hyaluronic acid(HA)were measured by radioimmunoassay;and left ventricular mass index(LVMI)was determined with ultrasonic cardiogram.RESULTS: After treatment with losartan:the serum levels of PC Ⅲ,LN,HA,and LVMI were all decreased(p<0.05 or p<0.01),and the blood pressure was also decreased significantly(p< 0.01).CONCLUSION: Losartan can decrease blood pressure,and reverse the left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive patients.

Key words: losartan, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis