Carotid hemodynamics is associated with monocyte count determined by serum homocysteine level in patients with essential hypertension

Abstract

To examine the association between pulsatility index (PI) in the common carotid artery (CCA) as a marker of vascular resistance and cardiovascular risk factors, including serum homocysteine and inflammation, 67 hypertensive patients were enrolled. PI correlated with homocysteine and interleukin-6, monocyte count, gender, age and BMI, with monocyte count and age being independent determinants for PI. In turn, monocyte count correlated with homocysteine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and HDL-cholesterol, BMI, and gender, with HDL-cholesterol and homocysteine being independent determinants for monocyte count. These results indicated monocyte count determined by homocysteine is associated with arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.

• Arterial stiffness
• homocysteine
• pulsatility index
• monocyte

Declaration of interest

Dr Higaki received research grants and speaker honoraria from Takeda Pharm Ltd., Mochida Pharm Ltd., Novartis Pharm Ltd., Pfizer Ltd., MSD Ltd., Astellas Pharm Ltd., Boeringer Ingelheim Japan Ltd., Daiichi-Sankyo Ltd., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Inter-Science Ltd., Teijin Pharm Ltd.

The other authors have indicated that they have no conflicts of interest in regard to the contents of this article.