Factors associated with levels of interleukins -18, -8, and -6 in hypertensive patients at high and very high cardiovascular risk

AIM: To identify the most significant factor influencing blood levels of cytokines in patients at high and very high cardiovascular risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A patient base from the "Management of chronic patients with multiple diseases" project was analyzed. 523 patients (mean age, 87±17.8) were included. Plasma samples were analyzed for concentrations of sodium, creatinine, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and NT-proBNP. GFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula. Time-related CHF progression was assessed in one year; the time-related progression was considered an increase in CHF stage. Salt consumption was determined using the Charlton: SaltScreener questionnaire at the baseline visit and at one year. Low-salt diet containing 5 g of salt per day was recommended to all patients; 3.5 g of salt per day was recommended to patients with a documented diagnosis of CHF. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 10.0 software. RESULTS: 52.2 % of included patients consumed 6-10 g of salt per day; 43.4 % of patients consumed 10 g of salt or more per day; and only 4.4 % of patients consumed 5 g of salt or less per day. 21 % of included patients were at high risk of cardiovascular complications whereas for the vast majority of patients (79 %), the risk was stratified as very high. Two clusters of patients were formed based on the grade of hypertension, one-year CHF progression, and plasma levels of IL-6, -8, and -18. The one-year progression of CHF most significantly influenced the levels of IL-18, -8, and -6. The IL-6 level was correlated with the NT-proBNP level; an approximately similar degree of correlation was found for NT-proBNP and BP. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the performed statistical analysis determined correlations between the following factors: IL-6 level, NTproBNP level, and one-year CHF progression.