Abstract: Background: Hypertension is a global health issue characterised by elevated blood pressure levels, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Insulin resistance is the inability of the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle to respond to insulin. Several prior studies have reported a correlation between impaired insulin sensitivity and elevated inflammatory markers. These conditions are believed to be associated with increased risk of incident hypertension by promoting endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory processes.
Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance (IR) and multiple inflammatory biomarkers in hypertensive patients.
Materials and methods: In this case-control study, 150 volunteers with normotension and 150 hypertensive patients participated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of insulin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin–6 (IL-6). Body mass index (BMI) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were computed. To ascertain the relationship between insulin levels and HOMA-IR with the pro-inflammatory indicators, logistic regression analysis was employed.
Results: Hypertensive individuals had significantly higher P values (P < 0.05) and higher serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α compared with normotensive volunteers. Elevated insulin levels and HOMA-IR index were also markedly observed (P < 0.001). Furthermore, positive correlations were found between insulin levels and the HOMA-IR index and inflammatory biomarkers (P < 0.05), but no association was found between IL-6 levels and the HOMA-IR index (P = 0.119).
Conclusion: Hypertensive patients have significantly elevated levels of hs-CRP, TNF-a, and IL-6, which may be crucial in the pathophysiology and development of hypertension. These levels are also markedly correlated with high levels of insulin and HOMA-IR index among hypertensive patients.
Keywords: Insulin, hs-CRP, TNF-a; IL-6; hypertension, Iraqi population.
Title: Relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and insulin resistance in Iraqi hypertensive patients
Author: Layth A. Al-Fahham, Baraa Adil Hadi, Majid Kadhum Hussain
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 14, Issue 3, July 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 27-33
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 07-July-2026
