Increased absorption of zinc from alimentary tract in primary arterial hypertension. 
Zinc absorption from the alimentary tract, as revealed by serum zinc concentration, was studied in a group of 10 patients (age 37.7+/-5.1 yr) with moderate and severe untreated primary arterial hypertension before and after a 30-d treatment with perindopril 4 mg/d. Blood pressure was 177.33+/-16.24/111.33+/-15.26 mm Hg before and 143.41+/-17.34/91.29+/-12.54 mm Hg after treatment (p < 0.05/p < 0.05).  Nine persons (age 37+/-6.2 yr) with normal blood pressure (121.33+/-9.9/78+/-5.23 mm Hg) were the control group.  Blood samples were taken from the ulnar vein at 8.00 AM (0 h), before taking zinc orally (one tablet of Zincas (zinc aspartate), containing 5 mg Zn2+) and at 1, 3, and 6 h after the dose.  Serum zinc concentration in control and hypertensive group (before treatment) were initially 15.47+/-6.26 versus 15.99+/-5.65 (NS), 19.37+/-6.40 versus 20.83+/-4.48 (NS) after 1 h, 17.91+/-4.76 versus 31.32+/-10.49 (p < 0.003) after 3 h, and 15.32+/-5.47 versus 17.87+/-6.56 (NS) after 6 h. Maximal increase of Zn was 4.77+/-2.10 versus 17.53+/-4.13, respectively (p < 0.001).  In the hypertensive group, serum Zn before and after perindopril treatment was initially 15.98+/-5.65 versus 14.81+/-3.11 (NS), 20.83+/-4.48 versus 18.17+/-2.50 (NS) after 1 h, 31.32+/-10.49 versus 22.94+/-5.80 (NS) after 3 h, 17.53+/-4.13 (p < 0.001) after 6 h. Maximal increase of Zn before treatment was 17.53+/-4.13 versus 9.17+/-4.67 (p < 0.017) after treatment.  The following conclusions were reached: (1) In patients with primary arterial hypertension, an increased zinc absorption from alimentary tract was found; (2) A 30-d perindopril treatment 4 mg/d orally decreased zinc absorption in these patients.