Korean Circ J.  2007 Jul;37(7):312-317. 10.4070/kcj.2007.37.7.312.

Serum Cytokine Levels in Hypertensive Children: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-6

• Hong YM
• Koo HS
• Lee JY
• Jung JW
• Kim NS
• Noh CI

• KMID: 2227058
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2007.37.7.312

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute systemic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of acute cardiovascular events. Recently published data have suggested that chronic inflammation could be an independent risk factor for hypertension. Association between interleukin (IL)-6 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and hypertension is controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between blood pressure and cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-6 and adiponectin in hypertensive children.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Eighty hypertensive children were included in this study. The obesity index, body mass index (BMI) and skin fold thickness of the subjects were measured, and the fat mass and distributions analyzed. Blood pressure was also measured, as were the serum aldosterone, renin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), insulin and homocysteine levels. The serum TNF-alpha, IL-6 and adiponectin levels were also estimated.
RESULTS
The serum renin, insulin, homocysteine and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in hypertensive compared to normal children. The serum TNF-alpha level had positive correlation with the insulin and negative correlations with adiponectin levels, respectively. The level of insulin had a significant negative correlation with that of adiponectin.
CONCLUSION
The serum IL-6 level was significantly increased in hypertensive children. Further long-term follow-up studies will be required to reveal the role of cytokines in hypertensive children.

Keyword

Cytokines; Hypertension; Children

MeSH Terms

Adiponectin
Aldosterone
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Child*
Cytokines
Homocysteine
Humans
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insulin
Interleukin-6*
Interleukins
Obesity
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Renin
Risk Factors
Skin
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*
Adiponectin
Aldosterone
Cytokines
Homocysteine
Insulin
Interleukin-6
Interleukins
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Renin
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Linear correlation between serum TNF-α and insulin. Serum TNF-α level had significant positive correlation with insulin. TNF: tumor necrosis factor.

• 

  Fig. 2 Linear correlation between serum TNF-α and adiponectin. Serum TNF-α level had negative correlation with adiponectin level. TNF: tumor necrosis factor.

• 

  Fig. 3 Linear correlation between serum insulin and adiponectin. Serum insulin had significant negative correlation with adiponectin level.

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