The Relationship Between Markers Of Inflammation And Arterial Elasticity

Objectives:To discuss the relationship between markers of inflammation and arterialelasticity in patients with essential hypertension.Methods:Normal control group: including 20 patients (mean age 50.1±7.5 years), who have no historyof hypertension, coronary heart disease or family history and appear normal in historyacquisition, physical examination, biochemical examination of blood, hepatic and renalexamination, ECG, chest fluoroscopy and cardiac echocardiography. Subhealthy group: 31patients (mean age 49.3±8.2 years), who have risk factors such as smoking, high levels of serumcholesterol and glucose, and obesity, without history of hypertension and coronary heart disease.Hypertension group: 30 patients with essential hypertension (mean age 50.7±9.2 years),diagnosed according to the WHO-ISH hypertension diagnosis criteria in 1999. Inclusion criteriawere as follows: 1) Blood pressure less than 170/110mmHg; 2) age＜75 years old;3) withouthistory of coronary heart disease or family history; 4) with cardiac functionⅠ～Ⅱgradeaccording to NYHA classification.The ELISA technique was used to measure levels of high sensitive c-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and RIA was used to measure levels of interleukin-6(IL-6). Echocardiograms were obtained byHDI-5000 color Doppler echocardiography of ATL Company.Carotid elasticity was assessed with HDI-5000 color Doppler echocardiography of ATLCompany. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured using the automatic device of KL Companyin Japan. Data were analyzed using SPSS10.0 statistical analysis software.Results:1. Markers of inflammation:Compared to control group, level of hs-CRP in subhealth group increased, while that of IL-6did not change. Levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 were higher in hypertension group than in subhealtygroup.2. Arterial elasticity degree:Compared to control group, the arterial dilation degree decreased, while arterial stiffnessdegree and PWV increased in subhealty group and hypertension group. Compared to subhealtygroup, patients in hypertension group had decreased the arterial dilation degree and increasedarterial stiffness degree and PWV.3. Markers of inflammation and arterial elasticity degree were positively correlated with the control degree of hypertension and were not correlated with the course of disease.4. The relationship between markers of inflammation with arterial elasticity degree:Arterial elasticity degree was significantly related to levels of hs-CRP and IL-6.5. The relationship between hs-CRP and IL-6:Levels of hs-CRP was significantly related to levels of IL-6.Conclusion:1. In patients with essential hypertension, markers of inflammation increased significantlyand arterial elasticity degree decreased significantly. Arterial elasticity degree was significantlycorrelated with levels of hs-CRP and IL-6. State of illness and effect of treatment can beevaluated by the result.2. Befor the illness such as hypertension happening, markers of inflammation and arterialelasticity degree in subhealthy subjects have significantly changed. Arterial elasticity degreewas significantly related to levels of hs-CRP and IL-6.The result can help predicting the degree ofillness and treating ahead.3. Markers of inflammation and arterial elasticity degree were related to the control degree ofhypertension.