【Objective】 This study aimed to measure the changed plasma ghrelin levels and relevant factors in hypertensive people before and after blood pressure control treatment. 【Methods】 Thirty-seven hypertensive patients and 41 healthy volunteers were selected. The plasma ghrelin level was determined by ELISA and its association with clinical characteristics such as blood pressure (BP) and endothelial related indices such as Hcy

ET-1

NO

and vWF were evaluated. 【Results】 Plasma ghrelin levels were significantly elevated in hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls

while plasma Hcy and NO levels were not show statistic significance between two groups. After treatment on BP control for 9 months

BP

BMI

and plasma levels of blood lipid

ghrelin

ET-1

and vWF were all significantly decreased(P < 0.01) in hypertensive patients

while plasma Hcy and NO levels were not significantly changed (P > 0.05). Plasma ghrelin levels correlated positively with ET-1 levels (r = 0.37

P < 0.01)

and correlated inversely with both BMI and fasting plasma glucose (r = -0.29

P < 0.01;r = -0.26

P < 0.05). In a multiple regression analysis

using ghrelin as a dependent variable

the plasma ET-1 level was significant independent variables. 【Conclusions】 This study indicates the elevation of plasma ghrelin level during the pathogenesis of hypertension probably is a protective compensatory response

which can resist the increased circulating ET-1 levels.