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Increased arterial stiffness in resistant hypertension is associated with inflammatory biomarkers

Natália Ruggeri Barbaro1, Vanessa Fontana, Rodrigo Modolo

  • 1Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp) , Campinas , Brazil.

Blood Pressure
|July 26, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Resistant hypertension is linked to higher arterial stiffness and increased inflammatory markers like interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Elevated IL-1β levels independently predict arterial stiffness in these patients, suggesting inflammation

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hypertension Research
  • Inflammation Biology

Background:

  • Hypertension is associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers, including IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, and hs-CRP, contributing to arterial stiffness.
  • Resistant hypertension (RHTN) is linked to poor prognosis due to inadequate blood pressure control and target organ damage.
  • Inflammation is implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension and its complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of inflammatory biomarkers on arterial stiffness in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN).
  • To investigate the relationship between specific inflammatory cytokines and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in hypertensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 32 RHTN patients, 20 mild hypertensive (HTN) patients, and 20 normotensive (NT) controls.
  • Measurements included office blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and plasma inflammatory biomarker levels.
  • Statistical analysis identified independent associations between biomarkers and PWV.

Main Results:

  • Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was significantly higher in RHTN patients compared to HTN and NT groups.
  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were elevated in both RHTN and HTN patients versus NT.
  • Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) was independently associated with PWV (R² = 0.5, β = 0.077), and RHTN patients showed a higher frequency of elevated IL-10 and IL-1β.

Conclusions:

  • Resistant hypertension patients exhibit increased arterial stiffness and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10.
  • Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels are significantly associated with arterial stiffness in RHTN.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for inflammation in the development and progression of resistant hypertension.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arterial stiffnessinflammatory cytokinespulse wave velocityresistant hypertension

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