Lactate dehydrogenase is associated with flow-mediated dilation in hypertensive patients

The level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has been proved to be positively associated with albuminuria, which represents glomerular endothelial damage in hypertension (HTN). In this study, the relationship between LDH and endothelial function evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was investigated in hypertensives. 1507 subjects (aged 61.2 ± 12.5 years) were enrolled. All hypertensives (n = 1216) were subdivided into 3 groups: LDH1 (lowest tertile of LDH, n = 399), LDH2 (mediate tertile of LDH, n = 409) and LDH3 (highest tertile of LDH, n = 408). Meanwhile, 291 normotensives served as controls. FMD of right anterior tibial artery was assessed by high-resolution color Doppler ultrasound. The level of LDH in hypertensives was significantly higher than normotensives (p < 0.001). Whereas, FMD was obviously more blunted in hypertensives (p < 0.001). There was an increasing trend of FMD < 8% from control, LDH1, LDH2 to LDH3 group (χ2 = 36.751, p < 0.001). Stepwise multiple liner regression analysis demonstrated an independent correlation between LDH and FMD in hypertensives (β =  − 0.145, p < 0.05). After stratified analysis, the relevance persisted in the male, young and middle-aged, hypertensives with grade 2 HTN, duration of HTN < 3 years, metabolic syndrome and those without statin therapy. In conclusion, the level of LDH was inversely correlated with FMD among hypertensives. Those hypertensives with increased LDH need to be scanned for target organ damage, such as microalbuminuria and endothelial dysfunction, and more frequent following up are also recommended.