Gut permeability is associated with hypertension and measures of obesity but not with Endothelial Dysfunction in South African youth

Background: Though gut permeability has shown to be associated with measures of obesity and hypertension, its relationship with endothelial dysfunction, an early predictor for cardiovascular diseases remains unknown. Objective: This study assessed the relationship between hypertension, measures of obesity, gut permeability and endothelial dysfunction. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study which enrolled 151 South African youths was conducted. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed. Zonulin, a marker for gut permeability; adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory molecule, as well as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and Nitric oxide (NO) which are markers for endothelialfunction were assayed. Results: Approximately eighteen percent (17.88%) of the participants were hypertensive while 40.4% were pre-hypertensive. Adiponectin significantly increased in hypertensive subjects and negatively correlated (p