The moderation effect of remnant cholesterol for linking cerebrospinal fluid interleukin 10 to blood pressure

Background Inflammation is a key component in the pathophysiology of hypertension, in which proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) 1β and IL6 and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL4 and IL10 are involved. Elevated remnant cholesterol (RC) level has emerged as an independent risk factor of incident hypertension, surpassing conventional risk factors based on its strength. Additionally, it has a higher penetration into the arterial wall than conventional lipids and induces arterial wall and systemic inflammations. Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ILs, blood pressure (BP), and RC and examine the moderation effects of RC on the relationship between ILs and BP. Methods This cross-sectional study included participants (mean age: 31.76 ± 10.22 years) who were divided into RC < 0.8 mmol/L (n = 81) and RC ≥ 0.8 mmol/L (n = 104) groups. BP was measured on the morning before CSF collection, and CSF IL levels were analyzed using ELISA. The linear regression models were constructed to estimate the moderation of RC on the relationship between ILs and BP. Results RC may play a moderation role in the relationship between IL10 and BP (R 2 = 0.11, β = –0.31 for systolic BP [SBP] and R 2 = 0.11, β = –0.28 for diastolic BP [DBP], both p < 0.001). BMI exhibited a positive correlation with the BP (R 2 = 0.09, β = 0.28 for SBP and R 2 = 0.05, β = 0.24 for DBP, both p < 0.05). CSF IL4 exhibited a negative correlation with triglycerides among males in the RC ≥ 0.8 mmol/L group (r = –0.25, p = 0.013). Conclusions This study demonstrated previously undocumented evidence regarding the potential protective effect of CSF IL10 on hypertension in individuals with RC ≥ 0.8 mmol/L. This indicates that elevated CSF IL10 levels may aid in maintaining BP for overall health, particularly in individuals with elevated total cholesterol levels.