title: Inflammation as Possible Mediator for the Relationship Between Lung and Arterial Function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduced lung function is associated with a risk for the development of cardiovascular disease. This association may be due to chronic inflammation which is often present in those with reduced lung function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the possible role of systemic inflammation as the mediator between lung function and arterial stiffness in 1534 black South Africans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spirometric data including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were obtained. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), blood pressure (BP) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In multivariable-adjusted models, an independent inverse association was found between IL-6 and FEV1 (β = -0.20, p < 0.001) and FVC (β = -0.18, p < 0.001). Similar results were found for CRP. PWV was inversely associated with FEV1 (β = -0.06, p = 0.037). No association was found between inflammatory markers, BP or PWV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced lung function was associated with increased inflammation and arterial stiffness. The lack of association between arterial stiffness and inflammatory markers suggests that inflammation may not be the mediating link between lung and vascular function in this population.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Yolandi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Rooyen
authors.affiliation: Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.|MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Aletta E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.affiliation: Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
authors.forename: Hugo W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.affiliation: Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Fritz C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Eloff
authors.affiliation: Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Johan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Du Plessis
authors.affiliation: Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.|MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Annamarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.affiliation: Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. johannes.vanrooyen@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Johannes M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Rooyen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D013019:South Africa; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: African; Arterial stiffness; Blood pressure; C-reactive protein; Interleukin-6; Pulmonary function