Association Of Serum Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α With Serum Low‐Density Lipoprotein–Cholesterol And Blood Pressure In Apparently Healthy Japanese Women

Abstract

1. The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is considered to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis by inducing local inflammatory responses in the vascular wall. Because TNF-alpha is also known to affect lipid and glucose metabolism, the association between the circulating concentration of TNF-alpha and atherogenic risk factors was examined in 82 apparently healthy Japanese women (aged 19-69 years; mean age 48.5 years). 2. The mean (+/-SD) serum TNF-alpha concentration was 2.7+/-0.9 pg/mL (range 1.4-5.9 pg/mL). The TNF-alpha concentration showed significant correlations with age (r = 0.28; P = 0.01), body mass index (r = 0.27; P = 0.01), the waist-hip ratio (r = 0.41; P = 0.0002), percentage body fat (r = 0.30; P = 0.006), systolic (r = 0.32; P = 0.004) and diastolic (r = 0.24; P = 0.03) blood pressure, total cholesterol (r = 0.27; P = 0.02) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C; r = 0.36; P = 0.001), while the correlations with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = -0.20; P = 0.08) and insulin resistance estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA(IR); r = 0.16; P = 0.15) were not statistically significant. 3. When adjusted for age and menopause, TNF-alpha was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.25; P = 0.02) and LDL-C (r = 0.27; P = 0.02). The association between TNF-alpha and LDL-C remained significant when adjustment was made for age, menopause and the waist-hip ratio (r = 0.24; P = 0.03). 4. Our results indicate that TNF-alpha may play a role in modulating blood pressure and LDL-C.

Independent association between inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and TNF-α) and essential hypertension

“…30 Therefore, IL-6 may result in elevated BP by inducing endothelial dysfunction and increasing peripheral vascular resistance. 31,32 Some reports of studies in human subjects have shown a significant association between TNF-a and elevated BP, 11,12,21 but others have failed to show such an association. 13,14 Unfortunately, none of these studies has been designed to test this hypothesis and all have failed to control for other risk factors.…”

“…[6][7][8] On the other hand, results from studies on the association between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and HBP have been contradictory. 9,10 Similarly, some studies in human subjects have shown a positive association between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) level and HBP, 11,12 but others have not. 13,14 However, most of these studies were not designed to test the association between inflammation markers and HBP and have failed to control for other risk factors for HBP and for other inflammatory markers.…”

Association of tumor necrosis factor‐α ‐308 G/A gene polymorphism with coronary artery diseases: An evidence‐based study

“…31 Another study showed that TNF-α 308G was associated with increased risk of hypertension. 32 Ito et al, 33 investigated the correlation of TNF-α with atherogenic risk factors in women. They observed that the serum level of TNF-α was significant related with obesity, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.…”

Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of high blood pressure: epidemiologic and biological evidence

“…44 Moreover, TNF-a plays a fundamental role in inducing IEDD, 37 a condition that seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and that is also present in offspring of hypertensive patients. 11,10 Some studies in human subjects (Table 3) have shown a positive association between TNF-a level and HBP, 16,33,34 while others have not. 27,29 However, these studies have failed to control for other risk factors for HBP.…”

“…IL-6 and TNF-a levels have also been associated to HBP in several epidemiologic studies. 16,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] IL-6 is a 26-kDa cytokine, produced by different cells, including monocytes, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells. IL-6 stimulates the synthesis of many acute-phase reaction proteins, including CRP, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen.…”