Recent updates on the influence of iron and magnesium on vascular, renal, and adipose inflammation and possible consequences for hypertension

Abstract

The inflammatory status of the kidneys, vasculature, and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has a significant influence on blood pressure and hypertension. Numerous micronutrients play an influential role in hypertension-driving inflammatory processes, and recent reports have provided bases for potential targeted modulation of these micronutrients to reduce hypertension. Iron overload in adipose tissue macrophages and adipocytes engenders an inflammatory environment and may contribute to impaired anticontractile signalling, and thus a treatment such as chelation therapy may hold a key to reducing blood pressure. Similarly, magnesium intake has proven to greatly influence inflammatory signalling and concurrent hypertension in both healthy animals and in a model for chronic kidney disease, demonstrating its potential clinical utility. These findings highlight the importance of further research to determine the efficacy of micronutrient-targeted treatments for the amelioration of hypertension and their potential translation into clinical application.