Pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with essential hypertension

Background It has been suggested that abnormalities in the immune response play a role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH). The aim of this study was to assess circulating concentrations and ex vivo production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and IL-6, in patients with EH and compare them with healthy volunteers. Patients and methods Plasma cytokine concentrations were measured in EH pat ients and control volunteers by specific radioimmunoassays and ELISA. Ex vi vo cytokine production was assessed after stimulation of whole-blood with l ipopolysaccharide. Results Circulating concentrations of TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 did not differ bet ween EH patients and controls. In contrast, IL-1ra circulating levels were higher in EH patients. Hypertensive patients had an increased IL-1 and IL-6 production capacity when whole blood was stimulated ex vivo with lipopolys accharide, while TNF production was lower. IL-1ra production capacity did n ot differ between patients and controls. Conclusions Patients with EH have an altered profile of pro-and anti-inflam matory cytokines, consistent with monocyte activation in the circulation. T he importance of these changes for the pathogenesis of EH and/or its second ary complications remains to be elucidated.