Transforming growth factor, arterial stiffness and vascular aging in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Arterial stiffness and vascular aging is associated with a risk factors for cardiovascular complications in hypertension. It is known that, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), a pleiotropic cytokine, enhances proliferation and growth of smooth muscle cells, as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix, that is, the processes underlying vascular remodeling in hypertension. But still there is no data about influence off TGF-β1 on arterial stiffness and vascular aging. Purpose The aim of our study was to identify the relationship between TGF-β1, arterial stiffness and vascular age in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension Materials and methods The study included 140 patients: 30 people with uncontrolled hypertension (UAH), 80 people with controlled hypertension (CAH) and 30 people in the control group. All patients underwent determination of arterial stiffness, vascular age using cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) by means of volumetric sphygmography and TGF-β1 concentration level. Results The TGF-β1 level was 19,2 [17,2; 24,7] ng/ml in the CAH group. In the UAH group – 22,6 [20,6; 25,6] ng/ml. In the control group - 17.4 [11,8; 19,3] ng/ml. Value of the CAVI was 9,2 [8,5; 9,9] in UAH group, 7.8 [7,0; 8,5] in CAH group and 7 [6,5; 7,5] in control group. The maximum and minimum values vascular age were observed in the group UAH 71,5 [64; 74] and control group 54 [44; 59], respectively (p<0,05), in the CAH group there was an intermediate value of the vascular age 59 [49; 69] (p<0,05). There was significant difference between vascular and passport age in CAH and UAH groups (p<0,05) and no significant difference between passport and vascular age in control group (p>0,05). The correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the TGF-β1 level and CAVI for patients with hypertension (CAH r=0,777; UAH r=0,753; p<0.05). Positive correlation was also revealed between TGF-β1 and vascular age in UAH group (r=0,657) and CAH (r=0,649) p<0,05. Conclusion An increase in the concentration of TGF-β1, vascular age and an increase of arterial stiffness were revealed in patients of the UAH group in comparison with the other groups. The relationship between TGF-β1, vascular age and arterial stiffness was also found in patients with arterial hypertension. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.