Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent vasodilator. The association between plasma ADM levels and blood pressure (BP) remains unclear. We assessed the association between mid-regional-pro-ADM (MR-proADM) and BP in a multicenter population- and family-based cohort.
We used data from the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension (SKIPOGH). We included participants present at both baseline and 3-year follow-up (N = 843). We examined the association of baseline MR-proADM with baseline office and 24 h ambulatory BP as well as the 3-year change in office BP. In secondary analyses, we studied the association between baseline MR-proADM and 3-year changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV), renal resistive index (RRI) and augmentation index (AI). Mixed-effects linear regression models were used.
In cross-sectional analyses, MR-proADM was negatively associated with office, 24-h and daytime diastolic BP (DBP). MR-proADM was positively associated with nighttime systolic BP (SBP). In longitudinal analyses, baseline MR-proADM was associated with an increase in office SBP and pulse pressure (PP) over 3 years [β (95% CI): 8.2 (0.4, 15.9) and β (95% CI): 6.4 (0.3, 12.4), respectively] but not with changes in PWV, RRI and AI.
The cross-sectional negative association of MR-proADM with DBP is in line with known vasodilatory properties of ADM. The positive association between MR-proADM and nighttime SBP at baseline may reflect endothelial dysfunction believed to be part of the pathogenesis of nocturnal hypertension. The association of higher baseline MR-proADM levels with increased SBP and PP at 3-year follow-up suggests that ADM levels could be a marker of cardiovascular risk.