Endothelial Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers of Endothelial Activation in Adults With Newly Diagnosed Hypertension

Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek80 enrolled

Overview

Hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction, an early event in the development of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial extracellular vesicles (EEVs) have emerged as promising biomarkers of endothelial activation and vascular injury; however, their relationship with blood pressure and microvascular endothelial function in untreated hypertension remains insufficiently understood. This observational case-control study aims to compare circulating EEV concentrations between normotensive adults and adults with newly diagnosed, untreated primary hypertension. In addition, the study will investigate the associations between EEV levels, blood pressure, microvascular endothelial function assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry, and established circulating biomarkers of endothelial activation. The findings may improve understanding of the role of EEVs in early hypertension and support their potential use as non-invasive biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Hypertension Endothelial Function

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older. * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent. * Normotensive individuals or individuals with newly diagnosed, previously untreated primary hypertension, classified according to the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines. * Ability to comply with all study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Secondary hypertension. * Previous treatment with antihypertensive medication. * History of cardiovascular disease (except newly diagnosed primary hypertension in the hypertensive group). * Diabetes mellitus. * Chronic kidney disease. * Cerebrovascular disease. * Peripheral arterial disease. * Acute or chronic inflammatory or infectious disease. * Active malignancy. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Current use of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or medications known to affect endothelial function. * Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Plasma endothelial extracellular vesicle concentration

Concentration of circulating endothelial extracellular vesicles quantified by flow cytometry following size-exclusion chromatography isolation.

Time frame: Baseline

Secondary Outcomes

PORH response (R-O%)

Microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry following 1-minute arterial occlusion.

Time frame: Baseline

Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation (AChID)

Endothelium-dependent microvascular vasodilation assessed by acetylcholine iontophoresis and laser Doppler flowmetry.

Time frame: Baseline

Sodium nitroprusside-induced vasodilation (SNPID)

Endothelium-independent microvascular vasodilation assessed by sodium nitroprusside iontophoresis and laser Doppler flowmetry.

Time frame: Baseline

VCAM-1 concentration

Plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) concentration measured as a marker of endothelial activation.

Time frame: Baseline

ICAM-1 concentration

Plasma intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) concentration measured as a marker of endothelial activation.

Time frame: Baseline

Endocan concentration

Plasma endocan concentration measured as a marker of endothelial dysfunction.

Time frame: Baseline

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)

Plasma MMP-9 concentration measured as a marker of vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction.

Time frame: Baseline

Endothelial Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers of Endothelial Activation in Adults With Newly Diagnosed Hypertension

Overview

Conditions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts