High serum levels of CXC (CXCL10) and CC (CCL2) chemokines in untreated essential hypertension

Hypertension has been suggested to exert pro-inflammatory actions through increased expression of several mediators, including chemokines. Chemokines are involved in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions through promotion of inflammatory cell migration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of high blood pressure on circulating levels of the prototype chemokines C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)10 and C-C motif ligand (CCL)2 in 140 patients with essential hypertension not affected by thyroid disorders or overt autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, and 140 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. Mean CXCL10 and CCL2 levels were significantly higher in hypertensive patients than in controls. Among hypertensive patients, chemokines levels were higher in those with systo-diastolic hypertension compared to those with isolated systolic hypertension. In a multiple linear regression model using CXCL10 or CCL2 as dependent variables and age, body mass index, glycemia, serum creatinine, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic or diastolic blood pressure values as covariates, only systolic or diastolic blood pressure values were significantly related to CXCL10 or CCL2 levels. In conclusion, this study demonstrates increased circulating levels of the prototype chemokines CXCL10 and CCL2 in patients with hypertension.