Abstract: AIM: To observe platelet activation and fibrinolytic activity and evalute the effects of valsartan and amlodipine in elderly patients with essential hypertension.METHODS: Double antibody sandwich ELISA and spectrophotometric assay were used to examine the levels of platelet alpha-granule membrane protein(GMP-140),tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA)and its inhibitor(PAI-1)in 57 elderly patients with essential hypertension and 30 normotensives.Valsartan was given in 29 cases(groupⅠ)and amlodipine in 28 cases(groupⅡ)for 12 weeks.RESULTS: Elevated GMP-140,decreased t-PA activity,and elevated PAI-1 activity were detected in the patients,but not in normotensives(p<0.01).Levels of GMP-140 were positively correlated with PAI-1 in the patients(p<0.01).GMP-140 and PAI-1 activity were decreased(p<0.01 -0.05),but t-PA activity was increased(p<0.05)after treatment in both group.No significant difference was found in therapeutic effect between groupⅠ and groupⅡ.CONCLUSION: In elderly patients with essential hypertention,the platelet activation elevates and fibrinolytic activity decreases,and both valsartan and amlodipine can inhibit platelet activation and improve fibrinolytic activity.

Key words: alsartan, amlodipine, hypertension, platelet activation, fibrinolytic activity