The Expression of IL-12 Family Members in Patients with Hypertension and Its Association with the Occurrence of Carotid Atherosclerosis

الملخص EN

Background.

The interleukin-12 (IL-12) family consists of four members, namely, IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35.

The aim of this study was to examine the expression of circulating IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 in hypertensive patients.

Methods.

Blood samples were collected from hypertensive patients and nonhypertensive (control) subjects, and protein multifactorial monitor kits were used to measure the plasma IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 levels in each sample.

In addition, all enrolled subjects underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and vascular stiffness.

Results.

Hypertensive patients exhibited higher IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels and lower IL-35 levels than control subjects; IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels were positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), while IL-35 levels were negatively correlated with SBP and DBP.

IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels gradually increased in patients with grade I, II, and III hypertension, while IL-35 levels gradually reduced.

According to the ABPM results, hypertensive patients were divided into the dipper and nondipper hypertension groups; IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 levels showed no differences between the two groups, but IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels in both groups increased compared with those in the control group, while IL-35 levels decreased.

Additionally, the expression of these IL-12 family members was influenced by many clinical factors and was independently associated with the occurrence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Conclusions.

The changes in IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 levels were not associated with the presence of the nondipper type but were closely associated with the development of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in hypertensive patients.