Biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and risk of hypertension among Inner Mongolians in China.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the association between plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, soluble E-selectin, angiotensin II, renin activity and the risk of hypertension among 2589 study participants aged 20 years and older from Inner Mongolia, China.


METHODS
Three blood pressure measurements were obtained using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer and hypertension was defined as blood pressure of at least 140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medications. Overnight fasting blood samples were obtained to measure the biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.


RESULTS
The average levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (7.5 vs. 5.4 mg/l), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (339.4 vs. 322.6 ng/ml), soluble E-selectin (19.1 vs. 18.2 ng/ml), and angiotensin II (52.0 vs. 47.0 pg/ml) were significantly higher, whereas renin activity (1.3 vs. 1.5 mg/ml.h) was lower in hypertensive compared to normotensive participants (all P value <0.001). Compared to the lowest quartile, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of hypertension for the highest quartile were 1.41 (1.06, 1.86) for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 1.93 (1.48, 2.53) for angiotensin II, and 0.70 (0.54, 0.91) for renin activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicated that elevated plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and angiotensin II were positively and renin activity inversely associated with the risk of hypertension. These data suggest that inflammation and endothelial dysfunction may play a role in the cause of hypertension.
Zhang
Yonghong
Y
Department of Epidemiology, Soochow University School of Radiation Medicine and Public Health, Suzhou, China.
Thompson
Angela M
AM
Tong
Weijun
W
Xu
Tan
T
Chen
Jing
J
Zhao
Li
L
Kelly
Tanika N
TN
Chen
Chung-Shiuan
CS
He
Jiang
J
D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D019040:E-Selectin; D000804:Angiotensin II; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012083:Renin