BACKGROUND:

This study was initiated to compare the adherence to cultured endothelial cells of mononuclear cells isolated from normotensive and hypertensive individuals.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Mononuclear cell binding to endothelium was greater in patients with hypertension (32+/-1 versus 25+/-2; P<0.001) than in normal volunteers. There was a significant relationship (r=0.42, P<0. 01) between mononuclear cell binding and mean arterial pressure, independent of differences in age, sex, and body mass index. A significant relationship also existed between insulin resistance (estimated by the steady-state plasma glucose concentration during the insulin suppression test) and mononuclear cell binding in both the normotensive (r=0.86, P<0.001) and hypertensive (r=0.74, P<0. 001) groups. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis demonstrated an independent relationship (P<0.001) between mononuclear cell binding and both steady-state plasma glucose and hypertensive status.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that both hypertension and insulin resistance lead to changes in mononuclear cells that increase their adherence to cultured endothelial cells.