The journal of clinical hypertension
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J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) · May 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialTLR2 and TLR4 gene expression in peripheral monocytes in nondiabetic hypertensive patients: the effect of intensive blood pressure-lowering.
The activation of innate immune receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), participates in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The authors evaluated TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression in the peripheral monocytes of nondiabetic hypertensive patients compared with normotensive individuals and investigated the effect of intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP)-lowering. Included were 43 nondiabetic hypertensive patients with essential hypertension who were randomly assigned to an intensive treatment arm, with an SBP target of <130 mm Hg, or a standard arm, with an SBP target of <140 mm Hg. ⋯ In conclusion, TLR4 mRNA levels in peripheral monocytes are significantly elevated in nondiabetic hypertensive patients. Intensive control of SBP results in attenuation of TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression in those patients. Our findings suggest that a strict SBP target in nondiabetic hypertensive patients may offer additional benefits.