Disturbed tumor necrosis factor system is linked with lower eGFR and chronic inflammation in hypertension

The relationship between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related parameters and cardiorenal metabolic factors is still controversial in clinical hypertension. Normotensive men (NT, n=60) and treated stage 2 and 3 essential hypertensive men (HT, n=89) were enrolled in this study. The relationship between TNF-related parameters and cardiorenal metabolic factors was examined in NT and HT, separately. HT showed higher rates of insulin resistance and enhanced chronic inflammation compared with NT. The levels of soluble TNF receptor 1 and 2 were significantly higher in HT than in NT, although TNF-α levels were unexpectedly lower in HT than in NT. Regression analysis indicated that the TNF-related parameters were closely linked with mild renal dysfunction both in NT and HT, and moderately related to chronic inflammation only in HT. HT taking inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system showed improved insulin resistance, but no difference in the TNF-related parameters. These results suggest that the disturbed TNF system is closely linked with chronic inflammation rather than with insulin resistance in HT.