Glycoprotein Serum Concentrations Assessed by 1H-NMR Are Increased in Patients with High Blood Pressure

Background: Patients with hypertension present a permanent state of low-grade inflammation, as the disease activates several pro-inflammatory cells and inflammatory pathways. Glycoproteins A, B, and F, determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, provide a highly sensitive method for determining a group of liver-derived pro-inflammatory proteins, and their role has not yet been explored in patients with hypertension. In this study, we evaluated the impact of plasma concentrations of these glycoproteins in patients with hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 340 patients attending our vascular and metabolism medicine unit. Of them, 129 were normotensive and 211 were hypertensive. Standard biochemistry and carotid ultrasound measures were performed. Serum concentrations of glycoproteins A, B, and F were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Results: Hypertensive patients presented a higher prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes and higher glycoprotein A, B, and F concentrations. Glycoproteins A, B, and F were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Multivariate logistic models showed that glycoproteins A, B, and F were associated with higher odds of being hypertensive. Machine learning methods corroborated the relationship between glycoproteins and high blood pressure. The higher prevalence of carotid plaques in patients with high blood pressure was partially mediated by glycoproteins A and F. Conclusions: Patients with hypertension present systemic, subclinical inflammation as assessed by liver-derived glycoprotein A, B, and F serum levels. These results support the effect of hypertension on the mechanisms of systemic inflammation. Hypertension-associated systemic inflammation plays a role in hypertension-associated vascular injury and probably in hypertension-induced damage to other organs.