Published online before print January 29, 2007, doi: 10.1161/01.HYP.0000257806.83296.e4
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(Hypertension. 2007;49:e19.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.
Letters to the Editor |
Response to Interleukin-6 Antagonists for the Management of Hypertension
Divisions of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn
Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn
Our study tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II induced inflammation, and particularly interleukin-6 production, in humans through a mineralocorticoid receptor–dependent mechanism.1,2 The writers suggest a causative link between interleukin-6 and resistant hypertension; recent studies showing a relationship between increased inflammatory biomarkers and the development of hypertension also suggest such a link.3 Proof-of-concept studies are needed to determine whether treatment with an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist reduces blood pressure and whether such an effect can offset potential adverse effects on serum lipids.4 However, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists have proven to reduce mortality in patients with heart failure5 and are proving effective in the treatment of resistant hypertension.6
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Acknowledgments |
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Disclosures
None.
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References |
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 Top References |
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1. Luther JM, Gainer JV, Murphey LJ, Yu C, Vaughan DE, Morrow JD, Brown NJ. Angiotensin II induces IL-6 in humans through a mineralocorticoid receptor-dependent mechanism. Hypertension. 2006; 48: 1050–1057.
2. Kapoor S. Interleukin-6 antagonists for the management of hypertension. Hypertension. 2007; 49: e18.
3. Sesso HD, Buring JE, Rifai N, Blake GJ, Gaziano JM, Ridker PM. C-reactive protein and the risk of developing hypertension. JAMA. 2003; 290: 2945–2951.
4. Maini RN, Taylor PC, Szechinski J, Pavelka K, Broll J, Balint G, Emery P, Raemen F, Petersen J, Smolen J, Thomson D, Kishimoto T. Double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial of the IL-6 receptor antagonist, tocilizumab, in European patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had an incomplete response to methotrexate. Arthritis Rheum. 2006; 54: 2817–2829.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
5. Pitt B, Zannad F, Remme WJ, Cody R, Castaigne A, Perez A, Palensky J, Wittes J. The effect of spironolactone on morbidity and mortality in patients with severe heart failure. Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study Investigators. N Engl J Med. 1999; 341: 709–717.
6. Nishizaka MK, Zaman MA, Calhoun DA. Efficacy of low-dose spironolactone in subjects with resistant hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2003; 16: 925–930.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
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