The inflammatory process contributes to the development of atherosclerotic changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate concentrations of selected acute phase proteins (APP) and their glycosylation profile in hypertensive subjects. 92 hypertensive patients (53 men and 39 women, average age 45.1 yrs) were recruited to the study. Hypertension was proved to be essential, mild to moderate (mean blood pressure values were 141/87 mmHg). The control group comprised 75 healthy persons in comparable age. In all subjects assessment of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha 1-antichimotripsin (ACT), transferrin, alpha 1-antitripsin (rocket immunoelectrophoresis method) and C3c and C4c complement fractions (radial immunoelectrophoresis according to Mancini) were performed. Evaluation of glycosylation profile and reactivity coefficient (RC) for AGP were done by means of affinity immunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A as a ligand (according to Bøg-Hansen). When compared to the control group hypertensive subjects had significantly higher C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 concentrations. Level of transferrin (negative APP--decreasing in the course of the inflammatory process) was statistically lower in the studied group. Hypertensive patients were also found to have elevated AGP-AC values proving acute character of the inflammatory reaction. The intensification of the inflammatory reaction was greater in the subgroup of hypertensive patients with unsatisfactory control of blood pressure.
Conclusions: 1. Hypertension may evoke the acute phase reaction. 2. Quantitative and qualitative changes in acute phase proteins observed in hypertension prove that hypertension itself is an acute inflammatory condition. 3. Markers of acute phase response are particularly strongly expressed in smokers and subjects with insufficient control of blood pressure. The most probable factor leading to the enhanced acute phase response in hypertension is interleukin 6.