Expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on peripheral blood leucocytes of adolescents with primary hypertension

We assessed the expression of adrenergic (AR) and cholinergic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) in untreated adolescents with primary hypertension (PH). Methods: 49 yet untreated adolescents with PH in a mean age of 15.2 ±1.9 years, and 47 healthy, normotensive adolescents, matched both for sex and age (mean age of 14.7 ±1.0 years) were included in the study. The percentage of positive cells (PPC) and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PBL and monocytes was analyzed. Results: in hypertensive adolescents PBL and monocytes presented greater PPC and MFI of AR and α7nAChR in comparison with normotensive group. Carotid intima-media thickness and carotid wall cross sectional area correlated with extracellular MIF of α1AR (r = 0.438 and r = 0.602, respectively; p<0.05), left ventricular mass index with extracellular MFI of α7nAChR (r = 0.340; p<0.05) and PPC of α1AR (r = 0.340; p<0.05). Stroke volume, and total peripheral resistance correlated with extracellular MIF of β2AR (r = 0,283, and r = -0.221, respectively; all p<0.05). Serum uric acid levels correlated with AR and α7nAChRexpression. However, hsCRP did not correlate with AR and α7nAChR expression. Conclusions: adolescents with PH show significant alterations in the expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors in PBL. These changes correlate with hypertension mediated organ damage, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters typical of childhood hypertension.