The interplay of mineral homeostasis and inflammatory biomarkers in the pathogenesis of juvenile hypertension: A case-control study

Abstract

Biochemical alterations often accompany multi-organ damage, a condition primarily induced by hypertension. This study investigated plasma levels of total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and trace elements (Mn, Ca, Zn, Se, Mg, Fe) in juvenile hypertensive patients (n=30) compared to normotensive controls (n=30) in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Venous blood samples were collected after overnight fasting, and plasma was analyzed using standard methods. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in total protein, albumin, Mn, Zn, or Fe. However, juvenile hypertensive patients exhibited significantly higher CRP (p