Plasma SCF/c-kit Levels in Patients with Dipper and Non-Dipper Hypertension

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral plasma stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit levels and the types of dipper and non-dipper hypertension in hypertensive patients.Methods This cross-sectional study included newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) between January 2009 and 2012 in Jiangning city. Patients were divided into the dipper group and the non-dipper group according to ABPM measurements. The levels of SCF and its receptor c-kit, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The serum levels of glucose and lipid were examined as well. The levels of SCF/c-kit were compared between the dippers and the non-dippers; and their correlation with 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure (MSBP), 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure (MDBP), TNF-α and IL-6 were investigated using linear regression analyses statistically.Results A total of 247 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension were recruited into the study, including 116 non-dippers and 131 dippers. The levels of peripheral plasma SCF were higher in non-dipper group (907.1±52.7 ng/L vs. 778.7±44.6 ng/L; t=2.837, P<0.01), and the levels of c-kit were higher in non-dipper group too (13.2±1.7 μg/L vs 9.57±1.4 μg/L; t=2. 831, P<0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed that SCF/ckit levels were significantly positively correlated with MSBP, MDBP, plasma TNF-α, and IL-6 levels (all P<0.01).Conclusions Peripheral plasma SCF/c-kit levels are higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension than those with dipper one, and significantly correlate with 24-hour MSBP, 24-hour MDBP, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels.

An Overview of Growth Factors as the Potential Link between Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome

“…Zhong et al [ 57 ] reported that the peripheral plasma SCF level is higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension than those with dipper hypertension; note that subjects with a decline of less than 10% of nocturnal blood pressure (BP) compared to all day-time blood pressure values are defined as “non-dippers,” while those who suffer from a reduction above 10% of nocturnal BP compared to day-time levels are defined as “dippers”. Moreover, SCF was significantly correlated with 24-h mean systolic blood pressure (MSBP), 24-h mean diastolic blood pressure (MDBP), serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels [ 57 ]; see Table 15 .…”

Perfil de la hipertensión arterial <i>non-dipper</i>: fisiopatología, etiopatogenia y relación con desenlaces cardiovasculares

“…Por otro lado, se ha logrado demostrar que los individuos con patrón no dipper tienen niveles aumentados de marcadores inflamatorios, como proteína C reactiva (PCR), interleucina 6 (IL-6), factor de necrosis tumoral α (TNF-α) y factor plasmático de células madre (SCF), así como un aumento de la activación plaquetaria valorada mediante el volumen plaquetario medio. El aumento de la respuesta inflamatoria y la activación plaquetaria pueden contribuir al riesgo cardiovascular adicional en los pacientes con patrón no dipper 49,50 . Estos hallazgos se correlacionan con un estudio retrospectivo, en el que Boos et al 51 describen asociación entre patrones circadianos alterados de presión arterial y el índice de rigidez arterial, así como con valoraciones del estado inflamatorio medido a través de la relación neutrófilos/linfocitos.…”

Non-dipper hypertension: its pathophysiology, etiology and association with cardiovascular outcomes

“…Furthermore, people with a non-dipper pattern have been shown to have elevated inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and plasma stem cell factor (SCF), as well as increased platelet activation evaluated through mean platelet volume. The increased inflammatory response and platelet activation can contribute to additional cardiovascular risk in patients with a non-dipper pattern 49,50 . These findings correlate with 51 described an association between altered circadian BP patterns and the arterial stiffness index, as well as inflammation measured by the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.…”