Inflammatory markers in essential hypertension: potential clinical implications.

There is a growing interest focusing on the inflammatory response caused by essential hypertension. Inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown that tissue expression and plasma concentrations of several inflammatory markers and mediators are associated with increased risk of hypertension. These molecules include C-reactive protein, adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and chemokines. The evaluation of these markers may influence the specific pharmacologic responses and the clinical outcome of the patients with essential hypertension. Moreover, therapeutic approaches targeted to lower blood pressure and suppress inflammatory response may have additional clinical benefits. However, further randomized studies are required to determine the potential favorable effects of suppression of inflammation in the management of arterial hypertension.