T-cell subsets are associated with serum homocysteine concentration in patients with essential hypertension

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the association between serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentration and T-cell subsets from patients with essential hypertension. Patients and Methods: A total of 218 essential hypertension patients were recruited, of which 170 were H-type essential hypertensive and 48 were non-H-type essential hypertensive. H-type essential hypertensive patients were divided into three groups by concentration of serum Hcy. The peripheral blood T-cell subsets (CD3⁺%, CD4⁺%, CD8⁺ T%, CD4⁺/CD8⁺) and clinical features including age, sex, serum creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were recorded and analyzed with T-cell subsets which were counted by fluorescence activated cytometry. Results: Compared with non-H-type hypertensive patients, CD4⁺ T-cell percentage in peripheral blood was significantly decreased in H-type hypertensive patients. Because of the increase of Hcy level, CD4⁺ T-cell percentage decreased. Linear regression analysis showed that Hcy level was negatively correlated with CD4⁺ T-cell percentage; however, it was positively correlated with CD3⁺ T-cell percentage. Conclusion: A direct association between serum Hcy concentrations and T-cell percentage was observed in patients with essential hypertension. This observation indicates that T-cell subsets might play an important role in hypertension.

KEYWORDS:

• Essential hypertension
• homocysteine
• immune status
• T-cell subsets

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Funding

This study was funded by China National Natural Science Foundation Program (grant number 81400206), Shanghai Science and Technology Committee Program (grant number 14ZR1437700), Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning Program (grant number 2015ZB0502). We would like to express our gratitude to the personnel of Laboratory Department in Tongji Hospital for their substantial assistance.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by China National Natural Science Foundation Program (grant number 81400206), Shanghai Science and Technology Committee Program (grant number 14ZR1437700), Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning Program (grant number 2015ZB0502). We would like to express our gratitude to the personnel of Laboratory Department in Tongji Hospital for their substantial assistance.