Parathyroid hormone-related protein and arteriolar tone in hypertensives

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is involved in the hypercalcemia of malignancy and expressed by a number of tumours. It is also produced by normal tissues (such heart, brain, kidney, and vascular smooth cells). It has been demonstrated that PTHrP like parathyroid hormone (PTH) induces vasodilation and positive chronotropic and inotropic action in the rat, and an involvement of the adrenergic and RAA system has been postulated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate serum middle molecular immunoreactive PTH (iPTH-MM), intact [1–84] iPTH, iPTHrP levels and PRA in supine and standing position, and daily urinary catecholamine (Ur.Tot.CAT) excretion in 17 essential hypertensive patients and in 15 sex- and age-matched normotensive control subjects.