Abstract: AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide combination on renal early damage of the patients with essential hypertension. METHODS:Sixty-four patients with essential hypertension whose serum and urine levels of β₂- microglobulin were high were randomly single-blindly divided into two groups. 32 patients in valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide combination group took the compound preparation containing valsartan 80 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12. 5 mg once a day. 32 patients in valsartan group took valsartan 80 mg once a day. The treatment were lasted for two months. The static and dynamic blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, urine α1-microglobulin, serum and urine β₂-microglobulin and urinary microalbumin were determined before and after the treatment. RESULTS:After the treatment, the levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were decreased significantly in two groups. The decrease amplitude in valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide combination group was superior to that in valsartan group (P <0. 01).Urine α1-microglobulin, β₂-microglobulin in serum and urine were all decreased in two groups, and those in the valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide combination group were significantly lower than those in valsartan group(P <0. 01).The blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and urine α1-microglobulin were all decreased in two groups(P <0. 05).CONCLUSION: Both of the two regimens have protective effects in early renal damage of the patients with essential hypertension and the combined treatment has better effect on reducing hypertension along with the concentration of urinary microalbumin and β₂-microglobulin in serum and urine.

Key words: hypertension, early renal damage, valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide