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Do increased plasma adrenomedullin levels in normotensive subjects precede hypertension?

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 557–559 (2006)Cite this article

Adrenomedullin (AM) was first discovered in 1993 in an extract of human pheochromocytoma tissue by monitoring cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in rat platelets.1 A molecule of AM consists of 52 amino acids and has high hypotensive activity.

Immunoreactivity for AM is widely distributed throughout the cardiovascular system.2 Over the past 13 years, more than 1700 peer-reviewed articles have been published regarding the biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of AM. Plasma and tissue AM levels are reported to be increased in patients with cardiovascular disease, such as those with hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction and renal failure.3 Of note, the magnitude of the increase in AM levels is proportional to disease severity.

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  1. Department of Hypertension and Cardiorenal Medicine, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan

    T Nishikimi

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Nishikimi, T. Do increased plasma adrenomedullin levels in normotensive subjects precede hypertension?. J Hum Hypertens 20, 557–559 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002039

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