Acute inflammation elicits decreased blood pressure but similar arterial stiffness in young African American adults.

Abstract

African Americans (AA) have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as compared to their White (W) counterparts. CVD is characterized by increased blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation. An acute inflammatory stimulus may explain physiological manifestations responsible for amplified CVD in AA that are not apparent at rest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate central and peripheral BP, central and local arterial stiffness, and indices of pulse wave morphology in young healthy AA and W participants in response to acute inflammation. Concentrations of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and measures of central and peripheral BP, central arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)), local carotid arterial stiffness (β-stiffness, elastic modulus (Ep)), and indices of pulse wave morphology were assessed in 28 participants (21±2years, AA: n = 11) at baseline (BL), 24h and 48h post-inflammation. Changes in IL-6 concentrations (ΔIL-6) were significantly greater at 24h as compared to 48h post-inflammation (0.652±0.644 vs. -0.146±0.532pg/μl, P≤0.0001). Among AA participants, central and peripheral diastolic BP were significantly decreased at 24h post-inflammation as compared to BL (aortic diastolic BP: -4±4mmHg, P=0.016; brachial diastolic BP: -4±4mmHg, P=0.014). AA participants also experienced a significant decrease in central and peripheral mean arterial BP at 48h post-inflammation as compared to BL (aortic mean arterial pressure: -4±4mmHg, P=0.009; brachial mean arterial pressure: -4±4mmHg, P=0.012). Despite haemodynamic changes, there were no differences in central or local carotid arterial stiffness or indices of pulse wave morphology.