Disturbed tumor necrosis factor system is linked with lower eGFR and chronic inflammation in hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Inflammation Biology

Background:

• The link between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related factors and cardiorenal metabolic parameters in hypertension remains unclear.
• Essential hypertension is associated with metabolic disturbances and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between TNF-related parameters and cardiorenal metabolic factors in normotensive and hypertensive men.
• To explore the association of TNF system with insulin resistance and chronic inflammation in essential hypertension.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing normotensive men (NT, n=60) and treated essential hypertensive men (HT, n=89).
• Analysis of TNF-related parameters (soluble TNF receptor 1 and 2, TNF-α) and cardiorenal metabolic factors.
• Regression analysis to determine relationships between TNF parameters and clinical factors.

Main Results:

• Hypertensive individuals exhibited higher insulin resistance and chronic inflammation than normotensive individuals.
• Soluble TNF receptor levels were elevated in hypertensive men, while TNF-α levels were paradoxically lower.
• TNF-related parameters correlated with renal dysfunction in both groups and with inflammation in hypertensive individuals.

Conclusions:

• The dysregulated TNF system in hypertension is primarily associated with chronic inflammation.
• The TNF system's link to insulin resistance in hypertension is less pronounced than its association with inflammation.
• Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors improved insulin resistance but did not alter TNF-related parameters in hypertensive patients.