Serum Markers of Iron Status and Β2 Microglobulin in Patients with Incident Hypertension.

Abstract

Prior studies have associated B₂ microglobulin with cardiovascular disease. The cross-sectional study, aimed at determining the level of B₂microglobulin and markers of iron status in patients with incident hypertension, was conducted in the month of July 2021 and all eligible subjects who filled the questionnaire and gave written informed consent for the study period were enrolled. A total of 150 subjects (comprising of 50 male hypertensive patients, 50 female hypertensive patients and 50 normotensive subjects were recruited randomly for the study.  Their blood pressures are determined. Blood samples collected were also used in the assay of iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity and B₂microglobulin using standard 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. The mean value of systolic blood pressure was significantly increased (p=0.006) in patients with incident hypertension (120.81±5.34) mmHg when compared to normotensives (113.30±5.83) mmHg. The mean value of diastolic blood pressure was significantly increased (p=0.008) in patients with incident hypertension (80.82±4.53) mmHg when compared to normotensives (75.20±4.05) mmHg.  Β₂M was significantly increased (p=0.007) in patients with incident hypertension (3.08±0.49) ng/ml compared to normotensives (2.50±0.27) ng/ml.  Haemoglobin and Iron concentrations were significantly reduced (p=0.006), (p=0.070) in patients with incident hypertension (10.83±0.78) g/dl, (105.28±23.19)μg/dl when compared to normotensives (12.941±0.86)g/dl, (122.78±17.94)μg/dl respectively. The mean values of ferritin and TIBC were significantly increased (p=0.381), (p=0..562)  in patients with incident hypertension (120.22±24.35)ng/ml, (303.79±14.37)μg/dl when compared to normotensives (110.37±26.04)μg/dl, (299.68±17.54)μg/dl.  There was a non significant negative correlation of Β₂M with Hb, iron and ferritin (r=-0.41, p=0.207; r=-0.02, p=0.963 and r=-0.28, p=0.399). There was a non-significant positive correlation of Β₂M with TIBC (r=-0.19 p=0.574). From the study, Incident hypertension is associated with a significant increase in B₂microglobulin level, and a significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration, but there was no significant association between incident hypertension and iron status. An increase in B₂microglobulin infers inflammatory activities which may predispose victims to cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: serum markers, iron status, β2 microglobulin, hypertension