Background The prevalence of hypertension continues to rise in pediatric populations. Recent studies suggest that renalase plays an important role in blood pressure regulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum renalase concentrations in hypertensive children.

Methods This study was a prospective cohort analysis of 88 adolescents (40 girls; 48 boys) aged 11 - 18 years, divided into two groups: HT – 38 subjects with primary hypertension and R - reference group – 50 subjects with normal blood pressure. Serum renalase concentration was measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (USCN Life Science Inc., China).

Results Hypertensive patients had higher serum renalase levels (median 29.8 µg/mL; Q1-Q3: 26.1 – 35.8) than the reference group (median 26.8; Q1-Q3: 22.96 – 29.4, p<0.01). Serum renalase was strongly related to serum uric acid levels. In hypertensive patients, serum renalase was positively correlated with 24H-SBP and 24H-DBP and 24H-SBP and 24H-DBP Z-score (LMS).

Conclusion Our results allow us to draw the conclusion that serum renalase is correlated with blood pressure elevation. Special attention should be drawn to the correlation between renalase and serum uric acid levels not only in hypertensive, but also in normotensive teenagers. Further studies are needed to answer the question if increased serum renalase may be a predisposing factor to hypertension in normotensive patients with hyperuricemia.

Reference

1. Lemiesz M, Tenderenda-Banasiuk E, Sosnowska D, Taranta-Janusz K, Wasilewska A. Serum Renalase Levels in Adolescents with Primary Hypertension. Pediatr Cardiol. 2018 Aug;39(6):1258–1264. doi: 10.1007/s00246–018–1891–y. Epub 2018 May 10. PubMed PMID: 29748702; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6096843.