Role of hypertension in early vascular aging

Aim. To study possible clinical and laboratory candidate markers involved in the early vascular aging in patients with hypertension (HTN).

Material and methods. In young and middle-aged men (aged 25 to 55 years) with grade 1-2 HTN and no significant vascular atherosclerosis, the aging rate coefficient was determined by Gorelkin A. G. and Pinkhasov B. B. method. Then the biological age was calculated. The following parameters were assessed: lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), platelet P-selectin, common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT), flow-mediated vasodilation, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring data, volume sphygmography — cardioankle vascular index (CAVI), photoplethysmography (PPG) — stiffness index (SI), reflection index (RI), estimated augmentation index adjusted for a heart rate of 75 bpm (Alp75), and vascular age (VA).

Results. The aging rate coefficient was significantly higher in individuals with HTN and corresponded to an accelerated aging rate. Median values of CCA IMT, SI, RI, Alp75, VA, CAVI, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides, and hs-CRP were significantly higher in patients with HTN compared to non-hypertensive individuals. HTN was associated with significantly (p<0,05) higher levels of platelet P-selectin.

Conclusion. Parameters of PPG (SI, Alp75), volumetric sphygmography (CAVI), Doppler ultrasound (CCA IMT), lipid profile (VLDL-C, triglycerides), and hs-CRP were higher in patients with HTN, while remaining within normal limits, compared to non-hypertensive individuals (comparison group). According to PPG, RI in patients with HTN exceeded the norm (N<30%) and was significantly (p<0,001) higher than in the comparison group. These data make it possible to consider these indicators as promising markers reflecting vascular stiffness.

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