303 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RESISTIN AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN PATHOGENESIS OF RESISTANT HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Background: Resistant Hypertension (RHTN) subjects are frequently overweight or obese, and have increased plasma aldosterone levels and arterial rigidity which are related to target organ damage. Hormones secreted by adipose tissue, such as resistin, may have effects regardless of obesity on blood pressure (BP) control. Resistin has significant associations with pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with abdominal adiposity. However, it is unknown whether this adipocitokine is associated with arterial stiffness in RHTN patients. Methods: Body mass index (BMI), office BP and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), aldosterone and resistin plasma concentration (ELISA), and PWV were evaluated in 94 RHTN subjects. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that, besides pulse pressure (60.3 ± 14.9 mmHg; r= 0.31; p< 0.001) and systolic BP (148.7 ± 17.8 mmHg; r= 0.33; p< 0.001), PWV is associated with aldosterone (121.5± 65.9 pg/mL; r= 0.34; p< 0.0008) and resistin levels (11.4 ± 5.8 ng/mL; r = 0.43; p<0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed resistin and aldosterone plasma levels, but not BMI (30.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2; r= -0.05; p= 0.6; β= -0.003, p= 0.9), as independent predictors of PWV changes (β=0.12, p< 0.01; β= 0.01, p< 0.05; respectively) in RHTN patients. Conclusion: Resistin plasma levels are as important as aldosterone when associated with PWV in RHTN subjects, regardless of obesity. These results show that resistin is an independent predictor of arterial stiffness and may be partially responsible for arterial rigidity in RHTN patients.