Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke; Anthonia Chigozie Okafor; Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham; Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi; Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke

, Anthonia Chigozie Okafor

, Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham

, Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi

, Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko^*

Published in American Journal of Internal Medicine (Volume 13, Issue 5)

Received: 19 October 2025 Accepted: 10 November 2025 Published: 19 December 2025

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Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading global health concern, characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that drive a vicious cycle of vascular dysfunction, endothelial damage, and end-organ injury. Aim: This study evaluated serum levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers among hypertensive adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to examine the variation in these biomarkers between untreated and treated hypertensive subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 150 participants aged 25-65 years, divided into three groups: 50 treated hypertensives on medication, 50 newly-diagnosed untreated hypertensives, and 50 normotensive controls. All participants underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Venous blood (5mL) was collected for the laboratory quantification of serum levels of inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Results: Findings reveal that study participants were relatively age-matched across the groups. Our data show significantly elevated body mass index (BMI), MDA, CRP and TNF among the treated hypertensive subjects compared to both the untreated hypertensive and normotensive controls (p<0.05). Conversely, we observed significantly reduced levels of GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD among the treated and untreated hypertensive groups compared to the normotensive control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that hypertension is characterised by chronic immuno-inflammatory dysregulation mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which drives endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The persistence of these inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in treated patients underscores the need for adjunct antioxidant and immunomodulatory supplementation to improve vascular outcomes in hypertension.

Published in	American Journal of Internal Medicine (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
Page(s)	77-88
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Hypertension, Inflammation, C-reactive Protein, Tumour Necrosis Factor, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Enzymes

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Ugwuamoke, M. C., Okafor, A. C., Nath-Abraham, C., Ifedi, I. C., Chinko, B. C. (2025). Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. American Journal of Internal Medicine, 13(5), 77-88. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

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Ugwuamoke, M. C.; Okafor, A. C.; Nath-Abraham, C.; Ifedi, I. C.; Chinko, B. C. Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Am. J. Intern. Med. 2025, 13(5), 77-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

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Ugwuamoke MC, Okafor AC, Nath-Abraham C, Ifedi IC, Chinko BC. Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Am J Intern Med. 2025;13(5):77-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12,
  author = {Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke and Anthonia Chigozie Okafor and Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham and Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi and Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko},
  title = {Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria},
  journal = {American Journal of Internal Medicine},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {77-88},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajim.20251305.12},
  abstract = {Introduction: Hypertension is a leading global health concern, characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that drive a vicious cycle of vascular dysfunction, endothelial damage, and end-organ injury. Aim: This study evaluated serum levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers among hypertensive adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to examine the variation in these biomarkers between untreated and treated hypertensive subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 150 participants aged 25-65 years, divided into three groups: 50 treated hypertensives on medication, 50 newly-diagnosed untreated hypertensives, and 50 normotensive controls. All participants underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Venous blood (5mL) was collected for the laboratory quantification of serum levels of inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Results: Findings reveal that study participants were relatively age-matched across the groups. Our data show significantly elevated body mass index (BMI), MDA, CRP and TNF among the treated hypertensive subjects compared to both the untreated hypertensive and normotensive controls (p<0.05). Conversely, we observed significantly reduced levels of GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD among the treated and untreated hypertensive groups compared to the normotensive control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that hypertension is characterised by chronic immuno-inflammatory dysregulation mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which drives endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The persistence of these inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in treated patients underscores the need for adjunct antioxidant and immunomodulatory supplementation to improve vascular outcomes in hypertension.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
AU  - Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke
AU  - Anthonia Chigozie Okafor
AU  - Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham
AU  - Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi
AU  - Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko
Y1  - 2025/12/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
T2  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
JF  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
JO  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
SP  - 77
EP  - 88
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-4324
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
AB  - Introduction: Hypertension is a leading global health concern, characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that drive a vicious cycle of vascular dysfunction, endothelial damage, and end-organ injury. Aim: This study evaluated serum levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers among hypertensive adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to examine the variation in these biomarkers between untreated and treated hypertensive subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 150 participants aged 25-65 years, divided into three groups: 50 treated hypertensives on medication, 50 newly-diagnosed untreated hypertensives, and 50 normotensive controls. All participants underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Venous blood (5mL) was collected for the laboratory quantification of serum levels of inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Results: Findings reveal that study participants were relatively age-matched across the groups. Our data show significantly elevated body mass index (BMI), MDA, CRP and TNF among the treated hypertensive subjects compared to both the untreated hypertensive and normotensive controls (p<0.05). Conversely, we observed significantly reduced levels of GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD among the treated and untreated hypertensive groups compared to the normotensive control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that hypertension is characterised by chronic immuno-inflammatory dysregulation mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which drives endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The persistence of these inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in treated patients underscores the need for adjunct antioxidant and immunomodulatory supplementation to improve vascular outcomes in hypertension.
VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke

Department of Human Physiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-8350-8120
Anthonia Chigozie Okafor

School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6497-584X
Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham

Department of Human Physiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6825-8446
Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi

Department of Human Physiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1283-6748
Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko

Department of Human Physiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0457-2853

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APA Style

Ugwuamoke, M. C., Okafor, A. C., Nath-Abraham, C., Ifedi, I. C., Chinko, B. C. (2025). Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. American Journal of Internal Medicine, 13(5), 77-88. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

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ACS Style

Ugwuamoke, M. C.; Okafor, A. C.; Nath-Abraham, C.; Ifedi, I. C.; Chinko, B. C. Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Am. J. Intern. Med. 2025, 13(5), 77-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

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AMA Style

Ugwuamoke MC, Okafor AC, Nath-Abraham C, Ifedi IC, Chinko BC. Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Am J Intern Med. 2025;13(5):77-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12,
  author = {Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke and Anthonia Chigozie Okafor and Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham and Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi and Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko},
  title = {Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria},
  journal = {American Journal of Internal Medicine},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {77-88},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajim.20251305.12},
  abstract = {Introduction: Hypertension is a leading global health concern, characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that drive a vicious cycle of vascular dysfunction, endothelial damage, and end-organ injury. Aim: This study evaluated serum levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers among hypertensive adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to examine the variation in these biomarkers between untreated and treated hypertensive subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 150 participants aged 25-65 years, divided into three groups: 50 treated hypertensives on medication, 50 newly-diagnosed untreated hypertensives, and 50 normotensive controls. All participants underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Venous blood (5mL) was collected for the laboratory quantification of serum levels of inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Results: Findings reveal that study participants were relatively age-matched across the groups. Our data show significantly elevated body mass index (BMI), MDA, CRP and TNF among the treated hypertensive subjects compared to both the untreated hypertensive and normotensive controls (p<0.05). Conversely, we observed significantly reduced levels of GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD among the treated and untreated hypertensive groups compared to the normotensive control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that hypertension is characterised by chronic immuno-inflammatory dysregulation mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which drives endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The persistence of these inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in treated patients underscores the need for adjunct antioxidant and immunomodulatory supplementation to improve vascular outcomes in hypertension.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Treated and Untreated Hypertensive Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
AU  - Moses Chigbo Ugwuamoke
AU  - Anthonia Chigozie Okafor
AU  - Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham
AU  - Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi
AU  - Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko
Y1  - 2025/12/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
T2  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
JF  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
JO  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
SP  - 77
EP  - 88
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-4324
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20251305.12
AB  - Introduction: Hypertension is a leading global health concern, characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that drive a vicious cycle of vascular dysfunction, endothelial damage, and end-organ injury. Aim: This study evaluated serum levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers among hypertensive adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to examine the variation in these biomarkers between untreated and treated hypertensive subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 150 participants aged 25-65 years, divided into three groups: 50 treated hypertensives on medication, 50 newly-diagnosed untreated hypertensives, and 50 normotensive controls. All participants underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Venous blood (5mL) was collected for the laboratory quantification of serum levels of inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Results: Findings reveal that study participants were relatively age-matched across the groups. Our data show significantly elevated body mass index (BMI), MDA, CRP and TNF among the treated hypertensive subjects compared to both the untreated hypertensive and normotensive controls (p<0.05). Conversely, we observed significantly reduced levels of GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD among the treated and untreated hypertensive groups compared to the normotensive control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that hypertension is characterised by chronic immuno-inflammatory dysregulation mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which drives endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The persistence of these inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in treated patients underscores the need for adjunct antioxidant and immunomodulatory supplementation to improve vascular outcomes in hypertension.
VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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