Key result
Adolescent primary hypertension is linked to increased leukocyte adrenergic and cholinergic receptor expression.
Why the study?
The expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on peripheral blood leucocytes in untreated adolescents with primary hypertension and their relation to hypertension-mediated organ damage and hemodynamic parameters was not well characterized.
Does untreated primary hypertension alter the expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on peripheral blood leukocytes in adolescents compared to normotensive peers?
Cross-Sectional (n=96)
No
Does untreated primary hypertension alter the expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on peripheral blood leukocytes in adolescents compared to normotensive peers?
Adolescents with untreated primary hypertension demonstrate significantly increased expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on peripheral blood leukocytes, which correlates with early markers of hypertension-mediated organ damage.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Should not yet inform adolescent hypertension management; extends adult leukocyte receptor observations and leaves open mechanistic or prognostic roles.
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 α7nAChR expression. 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.
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Litwin et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Primary Hypertension (n=96). Primary hypertension vs. Normotensive healthy adolescents was evaluated on Expression of adrenergic (AR) and cholinergic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) on peripheral blood leucocytes measured by percentage of positive cells and mean fluorescence intensity. Adolescents with primary hypertension exhibited significantly greater expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on peripheral blood leukocytes compared to normotensive peers.
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