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Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angéiologie 67 (2018) 161–166

Original article

Biochemical markers of hypertension, prehypertension

Marqueurs biochimiques de l’hypertension, prehypertension
L. Turgunova , B. Koichubekov ∗ , A. Turmuhambetova , M. Sorokina , Y.E. Laryushina ,
I. Korshukov , A. Shalygina , B. Baidildina
Karaganda State Medical University, 40, Gogol Street, 100008 Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Received 26 April 2018; accepted 27 April 2018
Available online 19 May 2018

Abstract
Objective. – There are insufficient researches aimed at evaluating biochemical markers of mechanisms of formation of AH and lesion of target
organs in hypertension and prehypertension. The aim of that research was to study the level of endothelial dysfunction markers and damage to the
cardiovascular system in hypertension and prehypertension.
Patients and methods. – A cross-sectional study was performed among 938 people aged 18 to 65 years. All respondents were surveyed,
blood pressure measured, for glucose, cholesterol, interleukin-6, sFAS, LIGHT, hFABP, NT-ProBNP and an Endocan concentrations were tested.
Depending on the level of blood pressure participants were splitted into groups with normotension, prehypertension and hypertension.
Results. – Comparing the markers of inflammation, apoptosis and target organ damage in the prehypertensive group, the level of the LIGHT
protein was Me = 265.2 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 197.7–444.3), in the control group — Me = 251.1 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 176.6–376.6), the Endocan level
was Me = 660.6 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 419.6–867.4) and in the control group Me = 587.5 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 401.9–838.1). In the AH group, the level of
the LIGHT Me = 273.1 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 195.1–455.2), Endocan Me = 668.2 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 434.8–977.3), heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein
Me = 2233.1 pg/ml (Q25 –Q75 : 1518.4–3391.1) exceeded the control group.
Conclusion. – Thus, the development of prehypertension and hypertension is characterized by an increase in the activity of biochemical markers
of endothelial dysfunction and damage to target organs, more expressed in the presence of hypertension.
© 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Hypertension; Biochemical markers; Endothelial dysfunction; Cardiovascular damage

Résumé
But de l’étude. – Il y a des recherches insuffisantes visant à évaluer les marqueurs biochimiques des mécanismes de la formation de l’AH
et la lésion des organes cibles dans l’hypertension et la préhypertension. Le but de cette recherche était d’étudier le niveau de marqueurs de la
dysfonction endothéliale et les dommages au système cardiovasculaire dans l’hypertension et la préhypertension.
Patients et méthodes. – Une étude transversale a été réalisée auprès de 938 personnes âgées de 18 à 65 ans. Tous les répondants ont été interrogés,
la pression artérielle mesurée, pour le glucose, le cholestérol, l’interleukine-6, sFAS, LIGHT, hFABP, NT-ProBNP et les concentrations d’Endocan
ont été testés. Selon le niveau de pression artérielle, les participants ont été divisés en groupes avec normotension, préhypertension et hypertension.

∗ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: turgunova@kgmu.kz (L. Turgunova), koychubekov@kgmu.kz (B. Koichubekov), turmuhambetova@kgmu.kz (A. Turmuhambetova),
M.Sorokina@kgmu.kz (M. Sorokina), laryushina@kgmu.kz (Y.E. Laryushina), korshukov@kgmu.kz (I. Korshukov), shalygina@kgmu.kz (A. Shalygina),
baidildina@kgmu.kz (B. Baidildina).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancard.2018.04.023
0003-3928/© 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
162 L. Turgunova et al. / Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angéiologie 67 (2018) 161–166

Résultats. – En comparant les marqueurs de l’inflammation, de l’apoptose et des dommages aux organes cibles dans le groupe préhypertenseur, le
niveau de la protéine LIGHT était Me = 265,2 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 197,7–444,3), dans le groupe contrôl — Me = 251,1 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 176,6–376,6),
le taux d’Endocan était Me = 660,6 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 419,6–867,4) et dans le groupe contrôle Me = 587,5 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 401,9–838,1). Dans
le groupe AH, LIGHT Me = 273,1 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 195,1–455,2), Endocan Me = 668,2 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 434,8–977,3), protéine de liaison aux
acides gras de type cardiaque Me = 2233,1 pg/mL (Q25 –Q75 : 1518,4–3391,1) a dépassé le groupe contrôle.
Conclusion. – Ainsi, le développement de la préhypertension et de l’hypertension est caractérisé par une augmentation de l’activité des marqueurs
biochimiques du dysfonctionnement endothélial et des lésions des organes cibles, plus exprimée en présence d’hypertension.
© 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés.

Mots clés : Hypertension ; Marqueurs biochimiques ; Dysfonction endothéliale ; Atteinte cardiovasculaire

1. Introduction vasoconstriction. Violation of endothelial function is accom-

Diseases of the circulatory system are one of the actual
health problems in Kazakhstan, taking 25.9–30.1% of rate of
death causes structure in the population [1,2]. The most com-
mon risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in
most countries remains arterial hypertension (AH). In Kaza-
khstan, the share of hypertension in the structure of the newly
diagnosed incidence of circulatory system diseases ranges from
47.8 to 48.1% [1,2]. However, these data do not include prehy-
pertension, which, according to epidemiological studies, is also a
common condition established in 20–41% of the surveyed pop-
ulation [3–5]. Prehypertension is identified as an independent
factor that is associated with the progression of hypertension and
an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke compared
with optimal blood pressure (BP < 120/80 mm Hg).
Mechanisms of AH progression and target organ damage
have a complex multifactorial character. Significant involvement
of endothelial dysfunction and activation of the immune system
with the systemic inflammation development and the production
of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of hyperten-
sion was established [6]. In the experiment it was shown that the
administration of TNF superfamily member 14, LIGHT causes
the development of hypertension in mice that allows creating a
cytokine-induced model of hypertension [7]. LIGHT is signifi-
cantly higher in the blood in women with pre-eclampsia, with
gestational hypertension and can induce hypertension in both
pregnant and non-pregnant mice [8,9]. Overall, a critical role
of inflammatory cytokines in hypertension has been well estab-
lished, though the mechanisms by which these inflammatory
cytokines cause hypertension is not well understood. Researches
demonstrated an increase in CRP, interleukin-6 and TNF-␣ in
patients with AH compared with normotensive patients [6,7].
Рrehypertensive patients generally have higher plasma CRP lev-
els than normotensive patients [8]. There are not enough studies
on the level of LIGHT in hypertension and prehypentension.
It has been established that members of the TNF super-
family, including LIGHT, participate in the development of
atherosclerosis by inducing pro-atherogenic cytokines, and
reduce the stability of atherosclerotic plaque, contributing to its
rupture [9]. Endothelial dysfunction underlies the development
of atherosclerosis. The term “endothelial dysfunction” means
an imbalance between the processes of vasodilation and
panied by increased vascular wall permeability, migration of
leukocytes into tissue, mediated by expression of adhesion
molecules on activated endothelial cells and their ligands on
leukocytes. Disturbance of vasodilatation and lymphocyte defi-
ciency as a result of perivascular lymphocytic infiltration can
make a difference in the pathogenesis of hypertension [10,11].
Endocan, (previously called endothelial cell-specific
molecule-1 [ESM-1]), is a soluble proteoglycan with a molec-
ular weight of 50 kDa derived from human’s umbilical vein
endothelial cells [12]. Lassalle et al. proposed a connection
between ESM-1 and inflammatory processes, also suggesting
a potential involvement of ESM-1 in vascular cell biology.
Most of the researches were devoted to the study of Endocan
in chronic kidney disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis [13,14].
A number of studies have shown an increase in the level of
Endocan in essential hypertension, positive correlation with
intima-media thickness and CRP level was noted [15]. Identifi-
cation of markers of inflammation, dysfunction of endothelial
cells and markers of damage to target organs has clinical
importance, especially in the early stages of hypertension [16].
A significant proportion of patients with AH are diagnosed
at initial stage, when there are already signs of damage to tar-
get organs. There are several sensitive markers of myocardial
damage. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a well-established
diagnostic marker for heart failure, an association between BNP
concentration and blood pressure was revealed [17]. It has been
reported that a protein that binds fatty acids, a cardiac form (H-
FABP) is more sensitive for detecting latent myocardial damage
in patients with congestive heart failure [18]. Studies in patients
with essential hypertension showed that the level of H-FABP is
a new and useful marker for predicting cardiovascular events in
hypertension [19].
Thus, the purpose of our study was to study the level of pro-
inflammatory cytokines, markers of endothelial dysfunction and
cardiovascular damage in hypertension and prehypertension.
2. Patients and methods
2.1. Data collection
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1239 people
aged 18 to 65 years living in East-Kazakhstan and Karaganda
 L. Turgunova et al. / Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angéiologie 67 (2018) 161–166
regions of Kazakhstan. Respondents were selected among the
population enlisted at district clinics. All respondents gave
informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion crite-
ria were: pregnancy, clinical signs of cardiac decompensation.
The study included a questionnaire, for which a questionnaire
was developed for the research participant. The questionnaire
included sex, age, information on social factors (income level,
marital status, level of education), the presence or absence of
chronic diseases, the presence or absence of daily 30-minute
physical activity (PA), the frequency of vegetables consumption
(every day or not every day). In all patients, hypertension was
diagnosed and the BP measurements were performed according
to the European guidelines [17]. The classification of nor-
motension, prehypertension and hypertension was based on the
classification of BP from the JNC-7 [18]. Normotension was
defined as not being on antihypertensive medication and having
a SBP and having a SBP < 120 mm Hg and DBP < 80 mm Hg.
Prehypertension was defined as not being on antihypertensive
medication and having a SBP of 120–139 mm Hg and/or DBP of
80–89 mm Hg. Hypertension was defined as SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg
and/or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg, and also if the individual was on anti-
hypertensive medication. The final sample was 938 persons,
since there were excluded 56 persons with diabetes mellitus,
33 — with myocardial infarction, 39 — with impaired cere-
bral circulation, 153 respondents did not indicate smoking data,
15 — physical activity and consumption of vegetables, 5 —
family status, totally from the study were dropped out 301 per-
sons. According to blood pressure, groups with normotension
(NTN, n = 291), prehypertension (PHT, n = 268) and hyperten-
sion (HTH, n = 379) were separated.
All respondents had tested for glucose, cholesterol, pro-
tein of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, a protein of the
tumor necrosis factor (LIGHT) superfamily, a fatty acid binding
protein (hFABP), N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic
peptide (NT-ProBNP), Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1
(Endocan). Biomarkers were examined on a Bioplex 3D instru-
ment (Luminex software) using the Human Cardiovascular
disease panel I (Millipore) reagents kit.
2.2. Statistical analysis
Statistical software package SPSS 20 was used. The categor-
ical data was analyzed using the Pearson Chi2 test (χ2 test). The
differences were estimated using the Kraskel-Wallis criterion,
the Mann-Whitney test. The correlation analysis was carried
out using the Spearman coefficient.
3. Results and discussion
Characteristics of the examined persons, depending on the
level of blood pressure, are presented in Table 1.
When analyzing socio-demographic indicators between
groups, no differences were found in terms of gender, ethnicity,
marital status and income level; the frequency of hypertension
increased with the age of the examined and was higher among
those with secondary education and less. We found no difference
between groups in the frequency of daily 30-minute physical
163
activity, consumption of vegetables and active smoking. The
group with hypertension was characterized by large indices of
body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in com-
parison with other groups.
The results of the biochemical parameters according to the
status of hypertension are presented in Table 2. When com-
paring biochemical parameters between groups, it was found
that cholesterol level — 3,93 mmol/l (Q25 –Q75 : 3.87–4.91;
P = 0.0001) was the lowest in the normotensive group, it
increased in persons with prehypertension (P = 0.0001) and
reached the maximum values in the group with AH: 5.20 mmol/l
(Q25 –Q75 : 4.0–6.12; Р = 0.0001). The glucose level was signi-
ficantly higher in the group with AH: 5.40 mmol/l (Q25 –Q75 :
5.10–5.90; Р = 0.0001) compared with the groups with nor-
motension and prehypertension. A comparative analysis of
biochemical markers between groups with NTH, PHT and HTH
revealed significant differences in the level of the H-FABP
(χ2 = 24.9; Р = 0.001) and Endocan (χ2 = 6.76; Р = 0.03), protein
of the superfamily of tumor necrosis factor LIGHT (χ2 = 5.70;
Р = 0.05).
In the comparative analysis of the biochemical markers of
inflammation level, endothelial dysfunction and target organ
damage of the PHT group, significant differences are found
in comparison with NTH and HTH. Thus, the level of FABP3
was significantly higher in individuals with HTH compared with
NTH (P = 0.001) and PHT (P = 0.0001). The protein of the tumor
necrosis factor superfamily LIGHT in the PHT group was higher
compared to the NTH examined and did not differ from HTH.
Endocan levels in the PHT group did not differ significantly from
either the NTH group or the HTH group, but there was a signif-
icant increase in Endocan levels in patients with AH compared
to NTH.
The most significant differences were found when HTH and
NTH were compared: the protein level of the tumor necrosis
factor LIGHT superfamily (P = 0.027), the Endocan (P = 0.01),
and the FABP3 (P = 0.001) were significantly higher. It draws
attention to the absence of significant differences between the
level of BNP in the group with normotension and hypertension.
Correlation analysis revealed the presence of positive con-
nections between the level of SBP, DBP, age, anthropometric
parameters, glucose and cholesterol level (Table 3). Correlation
analysis showed the presence of significant links between the
biomarkers H-FABP, BNP, Endocan and LIGHT. We did not
find significant correlation between blood pressure level, age,
anthropometric parameters, glucose level, cholesterol and other
biochemical markers.
Our study found differences in the level of the LIGHT pro-
tein between prehypertensive and normotensive groups. Our
data are consistent with the data of other authors who report
an increase in the level of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis
factor-␣, amyloid-a and homocysteine in prehypertension com-
pared with normotensive individuals [9]. We also found that the
level of LIGHT protein is higher in prehypertensive and hyper-
tensive participants compared with normotensive ones. Arterial
hypertension has been related with many circulating inflamma-
tory markers, [7] independently of other risk factors, promoting
the idea of hypertension as a potentially pro-inflammatory
164 L. Turgunova et al. / Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angéiologie 67 (2018) 161–166

Table 1
Characteristics of the subjects according to BP status.
Variable Total, n = 938 NTH, n = 291 PHT, n = 268 HTH, n = 379 P-level

Age, years, median (Q25 –Q75 ) 49 (38–57) 41 (29–50) 47.5 (37–55) 54 (48–60) 0.0001*
SBP (mm Hg), median (Q25 –Q75 ) 120 (110–140) 110 (100–110) 120 (120–130) 140 (130–150) 0.0001*
DBP (mm Hg), median (Q25 –Q75 ) 80 (70–90) 70.0 (60–70) 80.0 (80–80) 90.0 (90–100) 0.0001*
BMI, kg/m2 , median (Q25 –Q75 ) 27.2 (23.4–31.3) 23.9 (21.2–28.0) 26.9 (23.0–37.8) 29.7 (26.4–33.8) 0.0001*
WC, cm, median (Q25 –Q75 ) 90 (80–100.2) 82.0 (74–91) 87.0 (80–98) 98.0 (90–108) 0.0002

Gender, n (%)
Female, n (%) 725 (77.3) 244 (83.8) 205 (76.5) 276 (72.8) 0.27
Male, n (%) 213 (22.7) 47 (16.2) 63 (25.5) 103 (27.2)
Ethnic status, n (%)
Kazakh, n (%) 547 (58.3) 217 (74.6) 152 (56.7) 178 (47.0) 0.27
Russian, n (%) 246 (26.2) 46 (15.6) 71 (26.5) 129 (34.0)
Other, n (%) 145 (15.5) 28 (7.6) 45 (16.8) 72 (19.0)
Education, n (%)
Secondary education, n (%) 364 (38.8) 102 (35.1) 103 (38.4) 159 (42.0) 0.013*
Secondary special education, n (%) 338 (36.0) 97 (33.3) 97 (36.2) 144 (38.0)
Higher education, n (%) 236 (25.2) 92 (31.6) 68 (25.4) 76 (20.0)
Marital status, n (%)
Married, n (%) 653 (69.6) 199 (68.4) 185 (69.0) 269 (71.0) 0.96
Single, n (%) 174 (18.6) 71 (24.4) 50 (18.7) 53 (14.0)
Divorced/widowed, n (%) 111 (11.8) 21 (7.2) 33 (12.3) 57 (15.0)
Income level, n (%)
Below average, n (%) 440 (46.9) 128 (44.0) 125 (46.6) 187 (49,3) 0.27
Average, n (%) 308 (32.8) 102 (35.1) 90 (33.6) 116 (30.6)
Above average, n (%) 137 (14.6) 47 (16.2) 36 (13.4) 54 (14.2)
No answer, n (%) 53 (5.7) 14 (4.8) 17 (6.3) 22 (5.8)
Physical activity, n (%)
No, n (%) 147 (15.7) 51 (17.5) 34 (12.7) 62 (16.4) 0.53
Yes, n (%) 791 (84.3) 240 (82.5) 234 (87.3) 317 (83.6)
Vegetables, n (%)
No, n (%) 470 (50.1) 144 (49.5) 141 (52.6) 185 (48.8) 0.61
Yes, n (%) 468 (49.9) 147 (50.5) 127 (47.4) 194 (51.2)
Smoking, n (%)
No, n (%) 765 (81.5) 243 (83.5) 214 (79.9) 308 (81.3) 0.53
Yes, n (%) 173 (18.4) 48 (16.5) 54 (20.1) 717 (18.7)
* Chi2 (χ2 ) test; statistically significant level P < 0.05.

Table 2
Level of biochemical indicators in the groups with normotension, prehypertension and hypertension.
Variables Median (Q25 –Q75 ) P-level

NTH PHT HTH NTH-PHT NTH-HTH PHT-HTH

Cholesterol, mmol/l 3.93 (3.87–4.91) 4.47 (3.77–5.40) 5.20 (4.0–6.12) 0.001* 0.001* 0.001*
Glucose, mmol/l 5.30 (4.90–5.50) 5.30 (4.90–5.60) 5.40(5.10–5.90) 0.25 0.001* 0.001*
FABP3, pg/ml 1868.2 (1356.7–2733.3) 1778.9 (1222.4–2622.9) 2233.1 (1518.4–3391.1) 0.09 0.001* 0.0001*
BNP, pg/ml 70.5 (46.0–99.0) 73.6 (44.2–73.6) 76.3 (51.7–109.4) 0.68 0.06 0.18
Endоcan, pg/ml 587.5 (401.9–838.1) 660.6 (419.6–867.4) 668.2 (434.8–977.3) 0.21 0.01* 0.18
LIGHT, pg/ml 251.1 (176.6–376.6) 265.2 (197.7–444.3) 273.1 (195.1–455.2) 0.05* 0.027* 0.77
* Kruskal-Wallis test (multiple comparison); statistically significant level P ≤ 0.05.

condition. These data suggest that prehypertension is also a pro-
inflammatory condition and is considered as an independent
factor of increased risk of developing AH and cardiovascular
diseases [19].
To date, various studies have confirmed the central role
of inflammation in all stages of atherosclerosis development
[20]. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- and CD40L, a member of
the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), play pivotal roles
in the atherogenesis. Recently, the list of molecules belonging
to TNFRSF has expanded significantly. Tumor necrosis factor
(TNF) receptor superfamily 14 (TNFRSF14) is the cellular
receptor for TNF superfamily 14 (LIGHT). LIGHT is also
known as TNFSF14. Data have been obtained that LIGHT
participates in atherosclerosis through the induction of pro-
atherogenic cytokines and reduces the stability of plaques by
acting on extracellular enzymes that destroy the matrix. Because
these functions have also been associated with other cytokines,
such as TNF- and CD40/CD40L [21], the authors suggest
 L. Turgunova et al. / Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angéiologie 67 (2018) 161–166 165

Table 3
Correlations between biochemical and anthropometric parameters, age.
Variables BNP Endocan LIGHT Cholesterol Glucose DBP SBP WC BMI Age

H-FABP 0.203* 0.255* 0.290* 0.096* 0.116* 0.094* 0.115* 0.124* 0.124* 0.115*
BNP 0.168* 0.295* 0.06* 0.076 0.037 0.090* 0.065 0.049 0.076*
Endocan 0.149* -0.067* 0.091* 0.069 0.080 0.031 0.031 0.091*
LIGHT 0.047 -0.030 0.060* 0.063* 0.046 0.050 0.028
Cholesterol 0.359* 0.240* 0.254* 0.275* 0.276* 0.359*
Glucose 0.375* 0.381* 0.381* 0.381* 0.317*
DBP 0.789* 0.409* 0.409* 0.375*
SBP 0.448* 0.448* 0.477*
WC 0.830* 0.50*
BMI 0.381*
* Statistically significant correlation, P ≤ 0.05.

that TNFRSF14 and TNFSF14 are factors contributing to
atherosclerosis. On the other hand, as shown in the experiments,
pro-inflammatory cytokines themselves can cause hypertension.
In an effort to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying
cytokine-induced hypertension, a cytokine-induced model of
experimental hypertension was developed based on the use of
TNF superfamily member 14, LIGHT [7]. Taking into account
that prehypertension is an independent factor in the develop-
ment of AH and cardiovascular diseases, it can be assumed that
LIGHT protein is involved in the pathogenesis of these events.
As a result of the study, we also found that the levels of
markers of myocardial damage were higher in the AH group
than in the prehypertensive and normotensive ones and did not
reveal any differences between normotensive and prehyperten-
sive groups. Gedikli et al. [22] showed that increased levels of
H-FABP were associated with in hypertensive patients; observed
H-FABP association with age and BNP level is confirmed in
other works [23]. The elevation of H-FABP is considered as
a new and useful marker for predicting cardiovascular dis-
eases in hypertension [24]. The revealed correlation between
H-FABP and such indicators as age, level of blood pressure,
BMI, cholesterol, glucose, LIGHT protein level and Endocan
show a multifactorial mechanism of myocardial damage in
hypertension. Further research required studying the level of
myocardial damage markers in prehypertension.
The increase of Endocan in the group with AH in comparison
with healthy is confirmed in other works [25]. In 18 patients
with HT, serum Endocan values were positively correlated with
carotid intima-media thickness and high sensitivity C-reactive
protein levels [24]. We did not find any significant differences in
the level of Endocan in the prehypertensive group, as compared
with normotensive and hypertensive participants. There is
no information regarding the relationship between Endocan
and prehypertension. Endocan may be a surrogate endothelial
dysfunction indicator that also plays a role in endothelium-
dependent pathology. The vascular endothelium plays a pivotal
role in the pathophysiology of CVD through the expression of
surface proteins and secretion of soluble molecules. Wang et al.
assessed serum Endocan levels in 164 patients with hyperten-
sion (HT); Endocan levels were independently correlated with
the presence and severity of coronary artery disease in these
patients [26]. Although endothelial dysfunction is considered
as an etiopathogenetic factor of hypertension, endothelial
dysfunction markers can be considered as markers of target
organ damage more than as a causative factor. This is indirectly
indicated by the presence of positive correlation between the
Endocan, H-FABP (r = 0.25, P = 0.0001).
4. Limitations
The limitation of this study was the prevalence of female sub-
jects, a large percentage of participants that did not complete the
study. We did not monitor the results of prospective follow-up of
respondents with prehypertension, to assess the predictive value
of new biomarkers. Moreover, the potential impact of antihyper-
tensive therapy and concomitant diseases, such as chronic kidney
disease, diabetes on biomarkers, will be of particular interest
in further research. Despite these limitations, the results of the
study show the participation of new biomarkers in prehyperten-
sion and AH and can be considered as potential markers for the
diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of these patient groups.
5. Conclusion
The results of the study showed that the levels of biomarkers
LIGHT, Endocan, H-FABP are significantly higher in the group
with AH in comparison with the control group. Positive cor-
relations between the investigated biomarkers were detected.
These data indicate that markers of inflammation, endothelial
dysfunction and target organ damage play an important role in
the pathophysiology of hypertension. Established, an increase in
the level of TNF superfamily member 14, LIGHT with prehyper-
tension compared with normotension. The level of other markers
in prehypertension did not reveal significant differences between
the control group and the AH group. H-FABP is a more sensi-
tive marker of targeted myocardial damage compared to BNP.
Further prospective studies are needed to study the prognostic
significance of biomarkers in prehypertension and hypertension,
their dynamics against the background of ongoing therapy.
Disclosure of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
166 L. Turgunova et al. / Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angéiologie 67 (2018) 161–166
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