Effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy on markers of fibrosis and immune inflammation in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease after ischemic stroke

Aim . To compare the effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy (azilsartan, telmisartan) on fibrosis and immune inflammation markers in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) after ischemic stroke (IS). Material and methods . The study included 76 hypertensive patients aged 60-74 years (mean age, 66±5 years) with CKD after IS. Patients were randomly divided into following pharmacotherapy groups: 38 patients — telmisartan group; 36 patients — azilsartan group. The control group consisted of 20 hypertensive people (mean age, 63±2 years) without a history of CKD and IS. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA Kit, USA). The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon γ (INF-γ), monocytic chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) were assessed using Vector-Best kit (Russia). Results . Six-month azilsartan therapy led to a decrease in the levels of MMP-9 by 19,9% (p