Abstract

Inflammatory state could play a role in the alterations of circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP). This study was
aimed to evaluate the association of acute phase proteins with dippers and non-dippers blood pressure profile in
patients with new onset hypertension. A case control study involving a total of 50 subjects within the age range of
30 to 60 years were recruited. Twenty five (25) subjects had incident blood pressure, while twenty five (25) were
normotensive who served as control. The subjects daytime and nocturnal blood pressure were taken a day to the
sample collection. Blood samples collected were used in the assay of acute phase proteins; C-reactive protein,
fibrinogen, ferritin and haptoglobin using standard ELIZA laboratory procedures. All data obtained in the study
were analyzed using student t-test (spss.21) and Pearson correlation coefficient. The level of significance was set at
p < 0.05. There was no significant difference (p=0.393) in the mean value of CRP in dipper subjects
(1.94±0.60)mg/ml when compared to non-dipper subjects (2.23±0.91)mg/ml. There was no significant difference
(p=0.288) in the mean value of fibrinogen in dipper subjects (3.72±1.01)mmol/L when compared to healthy non
dipper subjects (4.19±0.94)mmol/L. There was no significant difference (p=0.116) in the mean value of ferritin in
dipper subjects (2.63±0.39)mg/L when compared to healthy non dipper subjects (2.95±0.49)mg/L. There was no
significant difference (0.419) in the mean value of Haptoglobin in dipper subjects (1.17±0.28)g/L when compared to
healthy non dipper subjects (1.28±0.32)g/L. The mean value of C-reactive protein was significantly reduced
(p=0.002) in hypertensive dipper subjects (3.11±1.39)mg/ml when compared to hypertensive non dipper subjects
(6.14±2.20)mg/ml. The mean value of fibrinogen was significantly reduced (p=0.018) in hypertensive dipper
subjects (5.32±1.11)mmol/L when compared to hypertensive non dipper subjects (7.04±1.71)mmol/L. There was
no significant difference (p=0.067) in the mean value of ferritin in hypertensive dipper subjects (3.51±0.59)mg/L
when compared to hypertensive non dipper subjects (4.13±0.78)mgl/L. There was no significant difference (0.239)
in the mean value of Haptoglobin in hypertensive dipper subjects (2.25±1.11)g/L when compared to hypertensive
non dipper subjects (2.90±1.21)mgl/L. The mean value of C-reactive protein was significantly increased (p=0.019)
in hypertensive dipper subjects (3.11±1.39)mg/ml when compared to non-dipper subjects (1.94±0.60)mg/ml. The
mean value of fibrinogen was significantly increased (p=0.003) in hypertensive dipper subjects (5.32±1.11)mmol/L
when compared to non-dipper subjects (3.72±1.01)mmol/L. Non dipper variation in high blood pressure is
associated with increase in C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, ferritin and haptoglobin. But there is no significant
difference in acute phase inflammatory proteins in healthy dipper when compared to healthy non dippers.