Macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α serum profiles in hypertensive patients with or without significant hyperlipidemia

Abstract Background : Activation and migration of monocytes into vessel walls with the mediation of C–C chemokines are important events for the initiation of the atherosclerotic inflammatory process. Methods : To investigate the expression of C–C chemokines in arterial hypertension (AH), we measured serum levels of macrophage chemoattractant protein-I (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-lα) in 46 patients with mild to moderate AH, separated into two groups (one with and one without significant hyperlipidemia), and we compared the values with those of 18 age-matched healthy controls. Results : Hypertensive patients ( n =22) with significant hyperlipidemia exhibited significantly higher serum levels of MCP-1 (196.4±29.3 vs. 152.7±33.2 pg/mI; P P n =24) without this condition and healthy controls (MCP-1: 118.5±24.3 pg/mI; P P P r =0.49, P Conclusions : MCP-1 and MIP-1α serum levels are elevated in hypertensive patients, especially in those with significant hyperlipidemia. This elevation may reflect the initiation and progression of the atherosclerotic inflammatory process, which is triggered by AH and enhanced by its coexistence with hyperlipidemia.