title: Short-term antihypertensive therapy lowers the C-reactive protein level.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing body of data concerning significant interactions between markers of inflammation and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension accompanied by elevated levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). Therefore CRP is thought to be an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of antihypertensive therapy (perindopril, bisoprolol and combined therapy) on plasma CRP concentration in 67 subjects with mild or moderate hypertension who have been treatment-naive and otherwise healthy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show a correlation between CRP level and blood pressure values. BP reduction was associated with a decrease in CRP concentration. The CRP-lowering effect of perindopril and bisoprolol was comparable and the degree of reduction might reflect their similar influence on blood pressure. Combined treatment influenced the CRP level to a greater extent than both monotherapies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma CRP level was lowered by antihypertensive therapy independently of the drug applied. The CRP level did not normalize completely in moderate hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Health Care Department, Chair of Women's Health, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madej
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bołdys
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bułdak
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Labuzek
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basiak
authors.forename: Bogusław
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Okopień
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017298:Bisoprolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020913:Perindopril / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D017298:Bisoprolol; D020913:Perindopril