Circulating free DNA in hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the level of circulating free nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk.Material and methods. The study included 70 patients, of which 51 were patients with hypertension (HTN) and 19 were healthy. The study of the level of circulating free nDNA and mtDNA was carried out using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, demographic data, comorbidities, risk factors, heredity, results of complete blood count and biochemical blood tests, electrocardiography and echocardiography were analyzed.Results. The level of nDNA in HN patients was significantly higher than in healthy patients: Me (LQ; UQ) — 227 (110; 370) copies/mL and 88 (62; 116) copies/ml, respectively (p<0,0001). In hypertensive patients with a very high cardiovascular risk, the level of nDNA and mtDNA was significantly higher compared to healthy participants: 294 (154; 489) copies/ml versus 88 (62; 116) copies/ml, p<0,0001; 56731 (42531; 129375) copies/mL versus 35156 (18325; 54956) copies/mL, p=0,015.Conclusion. The level of circulating free DNA in hypertensive patients with very high cardiovascular risk is significantly increased, and therefore this parameter can be a cardiovascular risk marker.