IIUM Repository

Reduced urinary endothelin-1 levels are associated with elevated blood pressure in young adults: a cross-sectional study

Yan, Kit Yee and Mohamed Bakrim, Norbaiyah and Abdullah, Aszrin and Abdullah, Nor Zamzila and A.Talib, Norlelawati and Saidin, Nurul Amira and Mas’all, A’inun Dhabitah ‘Aqilah and Mushaddik, Irma Liyana (2026) Reduced urinary endothelin-1 levels are associated with elevated blood pressure in young adults: a cross-sectional study. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 25 (4). pp. 159-169. ISSN 1823-4631 E-ISSN 2735-2285

[img]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Download (534kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF (Scopus) - Supplemental Material
Download (184kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF (WOS) - Supplemental Material
Download (320kB) | Preview

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Urinary biomarkers offer practical and non-invasive advantages for clinical screening, including early cardiovascular risk assessment. While endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a recognised serum biomarker for hypertension, its role in urine, particularly among young adults, has not been fully explored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between urinary ET-1 levels and elevated blood pressure (BP) among young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 117 adults aged 18-45 years were recruited: normotensive (n=44; systolic blood pressure (SBP) <120 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <80 mmHg), prehypertensive (n=40; SBP 120-139 and/or DBP 80-89 mmHg), and newly diagnosed hypertensive (n=33; SBP≥140 and/or DBP≥90 mmHg). Pregnant women, individuals who were receiving antihypertensive therapy, or those diagnosed with underlying renal disease were excluded from the study. Plasma and urinary ET-1 levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Urinary ET-1 was normalised to urinary creatinine to adjust for hydration status. RESULTS: Creatinine-normalised urinary ET-1 concentrations decreased progressively across the normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive groups; median (25th-75th percentile) 26.39 (22.19-48.82) pg/mmol, 20.61 (14.72-38.55) pg/mmol and 13.49 (9.69-27.27) pg/mmol, respectively (p=0.002). Hypertensive participants exhibited significantly lower normalised urinary ET-1 levels compared to normotensive controls (p=0.001). In contrast, plasma ET-1 levels showed neither significant intergroup differences nor a significant correlation with urinary ET-1 levels. CONCLUSION: Reduced urinary ET-1 levels are significantly associated with elevated BP in young adults. However, prospective longitudinal studies are required to establish causality and clarify its mechanistic role in the development of young-onset hypertension.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Young Adults, Hypertension, Prehypertension, Creatinine-normalised Urinary Biomarker, Cross-sectional Study
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC627 Specialties of Internal Medicine-Metabolic Diseases
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Medicine
Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Basic Medical
Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Pathology & Lab Medicine
Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre (SASMEC)
Depositing User: Dr Norbaiyah Mohamed Bakrim
Date Deposited: 19 Oct 2026 15:05
Last Update: 19 Oct 2026 15:05
Queue Number: 2026-10-Q5682
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/132032
Indexed In: WOS and SCOPUS, MyCite

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item