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Endothelial dysfunction is associated with increased levels of biomarkers in essential hypertension

A de la Sierra1, M Larrousse

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Mutua Terrassa, University of Barcelona, Terrassa, Spain. adelasierra@mutuaterrassa.es

Journal of Human Hypertension
|December 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension correlates with inflammation and oxidative stress markers. Impaired vasodilation is linked to higher inflammatory markers and lower antioxidant levels, suggesting potential risk indicators.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Hypertension Studies

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction.
  • Inflammation, oxidative stress, and remodelling play roles in hypertension pathogenesis.
  • Biomarkers for early risk stratification in hypertension are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between endothelial dysfunction and serum biomarkers of inflammation, remodelling, and oxidative stress in treatment-naïve essential hypertension.
  • To identify potential markers for high-risk hypertensive patients.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed endothelial dysfunction via maximal acetylcholine-induced forearm vasodilation in 78 treatment-naïve essential hypertensives.
  • Measured serum levels of adhesion molecules, selectins, chemokines, metalloproteinases, antioxidants (selenium, vitamin C), and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase).

Main Results:

  • Impaired acetylcholine-induced vasodilation correlated with increased levels of e-selectin, p-selectin, monocyte chemotactic protein type 1 (MCP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases type 1 (TIMP-1).
  • Reduced serum levels of selenium, vitamin C, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities were observed in patients with more impaired vasodilation.
  • Significant inverse correlations were found between maximal endothelium-dependent vasodilation and several inflammatory/remodelling markers.

Conclusions:

  • Recently diagnosed essential hypertensives exhibit a relationship between endothelial dysfunction, serum inflammatory and remodelling markers, and antioxidant status.
  • These biomarkers may serve as valuable indicators of high cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.
  • Further research can validate these markers for clinical risk assessment in hypertension.

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