Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The main physiological function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is the regulation of water and salt homeostasis as well as arterial blood pressure. In addition, the RAAS is proposed to be involved in the pathophysiology of several diseases like hypertension, vascular remodelling, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In a cohort study in north-east Germany, we investigated the association of plasma renin- (PRC) or plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) with inflammatory biomarkers.

Design/Measurements: Our study population included 2,892 individuals from the first follow-up of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1). The associations of PRC or PAC with the inflammatory biomarkers fibrinogen (FIB), white blood cells (WBC) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined. Multivariable logistic regression models were calculated.

Results: Subjects with high PAC (>75th percentile) had higher odd ratios (OR) for increased plasma FIB levels (>4.28 g/l, OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.08–2.22) compared to those with low PAC (<25th percentile). Similar results were found for the association of PRC with FIB levels (>4.28 g/l, OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.62–3.45). Furthermore, subjects with high PRC had higher odd ratios for increased WBC counts (>9.1 Gpt/l, OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.79–3.69) and hs-CRP levels (>5.54 mg/l, OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.02–2.13). In a subsample analysis including normotensive individuals who did not take RAAS-altering medication, high PRC (>75th percentile) were associated with higher odd ratios for increased FIB levels (>4.0 g/l, OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.14–3.23) or WBC counts (>9.3 Gpt/l, OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.53–4.47).

Conclusion: High PAC or PRC are associated with inflammatory biomarkers, indicating a link to inflammatory processes within the general population.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.