Plasma SCF/c-kit Levels in Patients with Dipper and Non-Dipper Hypertension

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral plasma stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit levels and the types of dipper and non-dipper hypertension in hypertensive patients.Methods This cross-sectional study included newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) between January 2009 and 2012 in Jiangning city. Patients were divided into the dipper group and the non-dipper group according to ABPM measurements. The levels of SCF and its receptor c-kit, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The serum levels of glucose and lipid were examined as well. The levels of SCF/c-kit were compared between the dippers and the non-dippers; and their correlation with 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure (MSBP), 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure (MDBP), TNF-αand IL-6 were investigated using linear regression analyses statistically.Results A total of 247 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension were recruited into the study, including 116 non-dippers and 131 dippers. The levels of peripheral plasma SCF were higher in non-dipper group (907.1±52.7 ng/L vs. 778.7±44.6 ng/L; t=2.837, P<0.01), and the levels of c-kit were higher in non-dipper group too (13.2±1.7 μg/L vs 9.57±1.4 μg/L; t=2.831, P<0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed that SCF/ckit levels were significantly positively correlated with MSBP, MDBP, plasma TNF-α, and IL-6 levels (all P<0.01).Conclusions Peripheral plasma SCF/c-kit levels are higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension than those with dipper one, and significantly correlate with 24-hour MSBP, 24-hour MDBP, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels.

Could Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Be a Routine Investigation for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Objectives: To study the ambulatory measured blood pressure (ABPM) profile in normotensive patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Patients and Methods: The study was designed as a case control study including 50male patients with mild cognitive impairment in the age group of 30 - 50 years old. The control group included 30 volunteers with no cognitive impairment and in the same age group (30 - 50 years old) and same gender. Mini-mental estate examination, office and ABP monitoring (ABPM) and brain MRI scans were done for cases and controls. Results: Thirty patients (60%) with MCI revealed a non-dipper blood pressure pattern. Sleeping systolic blood pressure and sleeping systolic load were significantly higher in patients with MCI than in normal volunteers (p = 0.01). MRI brain showed more white matter lesions (WMLs) in patients with MCI than in normal volunteers;however, this didn’t reach significance level (p = 0.056). Conclusion: MCI in normotensive young adult patients could reflect an abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring could be an essential investigation in young adult MCI patients.