Introduction: Urocortin 2 (UCN2), is an endogenous stress-related peptide belonging to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, has a major role in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension.
Aim: To investigate the role of UCN2 levels in patients with hypertension (HTN).
Methods: Serum UCN2 levels measured by ELISA were compared between patients with HTN (n = 86) and nonHTN (n = 53).
Results: Eighty-six patients with HTN [median age 66 (45-76); 38 men] and 53 patients with non-HTN [median age 62 (40-80); 39 men] were included into this study. Serum UCN2 (5.17 ng/ml; IQR, 1.26-11.68 ng/ml vs 0.79 ng/ml; IQR, 0.07-4.10 ng/ml, p < 0.0005) levels were found significantly elevated in patients with HTN compared to nonHTN control group. Concentrations of serum UCN2 were positively correlated with left ventricle mass index to body surface area (LV mass index to BSA, r = 0.20, p = 0.03), LV mass index to height2.7 (r = 0.28, p = 0.002) and body mass index (r = 0.24, p = 0.008). Additionally, logistic regression analysis was performed to UCN2, uric acid, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, age, body mass index, coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus which are the potential confounders of hypertension. According to logistic regression analysis serum UCN2 values were found out as an independent predictor of HTN.
Conclusion: UCN2 levels, correlated with LV mass index were increased in HTN patients compared to nonHTN patients. These data provide evidence that there could be a relationship between high concentrations of UCN2 and HTN. UCN2 may appear as a promising choice of HTN treatment in the future.
Keywords: Hypertension; Stress; Urocortin 2.