Biochemical markers of liver and kidney functions in Nigerian hypertensive patients

Plasma albumin, total protein, total globulin, urea, creatinine and uric acid, concentrations were assayed by standard spectrophotometric methods as simple biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions of 103 hypertensive patients (44 males; 59 females) and 88 apparently healthy subjects (40 males; 48 females). Additionally Plasma sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were determined by flame photometry. The healthy and the hypertensive subjects were recruited from Abeokuta and Ibadan (South-Western Nigeria). The subjects were classified into male and female subgroups. The mean age of the hypertensive patients was 41.9 ± 10.3 (range 21-68) years, while the mean age of the healthy subjects was 37.8 ± 8.6 (range 18-52) years. The weight and height of all subjects were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) computed. The levels of plasma albumin, urea and uric acid were significantly higher in the hypertensive patients than in healthy group (P<0.05, P<0.001 and P<0.001 respectively). The mean levels of plasma Na, K, total protein and creatinine were not significantly different in both groups. Raised albumin levels in hypertensives probably reflected the total antioxidant defence system that may be increased due to oxidative stress associated with this disorder, while higher level of urea and uric acid in hypertensives were probably due to extra-renal causes, since creatinine a better index of renal pathology is similar in both groups. © 2009 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.