title: Inflammatory markers in essential hypertension: potential clinical implications.
abstract: There is a growing interest focusing on the inflammatory response caused by essential hypertension. Inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown that tissue expression and plasma concentrations of several inflammatory markers and mediators are associated with increased risk of hypertension. These molecules include C-reactive protein, adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and chemokines. The evaluation of these markers may influence the specific pharmacologic responses and the clinical outcome of the patients with essential hypertension. Moreover, therapeutic approaches targeted to lower blood pressure and suppress inflammatory response may have additional clinical benefits. However, further randomized studies are required to determine the potential favorable effects of suppression of inflammation in the management of arterial hypertension.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Elli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stefanadi
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: Emmanuel S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Androulakis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charakida
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsioufis
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators