GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF THE INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE GENES AND ARTERIAL WALL PROPERTIES IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective. To elucidate the association between polymorphic markers of the genes of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 10 (IL10), interleukin 6 (IL6), lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFA) and changes of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. Design and methods. The study included 130 patients with hypertension (HTN) (64 (49,3%) men and 66 (50,7%) women), average age 63,7 ± 12,87 years. The intima-media thickness was measured by the method proposed by P. Pignolli. The arterial stiffness was assessed by the carotidfemoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV). Central aortic pulse pressure (PP) was calculated using pulse contour analysis. Results. An association of polymorphic markers of A (-3872)G, G (-2667)C, A (-5237) G CRP gene, G (-1082)A gene IL10, C (-174)G gene IL6, and A (-308)G gene TNFA with pulse wave velocity, PP in the aorta, the presence of atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries was found. Among patients with aortic PP > 50 mmHg the frequency of AA genotype carriers of polymorphic marker C804A LTA gene was higher (p = 0,037). Carriers AA genotype had a significantly greater carotid-femoral PWV as compared with native CC genotype (13,4 and 11,9 m/s, p = 0,042) and higher PP in the aorta. Also, higher PP and aortic PWV were found in carriers of GG genotype of A (252)G LTA gene. Among patients with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries the frequency of AA genotype of the G (-3014)A CRP gene was higher (p = 0,031). Conclusion. Thus, we have shown that CRP gene polymorphism is associated with the development of carotid atherosclerosis and increased central PP, while lymphotoxin alpha gene polymorphism is associated with the increase in arterial stiffness in high risk hypertensive patients. Our data confirm the involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the development of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.