Nutritional Status, Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in Elderly Adults with Essential Hypertension, Independent of Intestinal Parasitic Infection: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension in elderly adults is associated with oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and micronutrient deficiencies, which may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. The impact of intestinal parasitic infections on these associations remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the relationships between micronutrient status, oxidative stress, and endothelial health in elderly patients with essential hypertension, independent of intestinal parasitic infection. Methods: In this case-control study, 100 participants (50 hypertensive, 50 normotensive controls) underwent assessment of vitamin D, zinc, C-reactive protein (CRP), oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites. Correlations among biomarkers and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent predictors of hypertension. Results: Demographics and BMI were comparable between groups. No parasitic infections were detected. Hypertensive patients exhibited significantly lower vitamin D and zinc levels and higher CRP, Ox-LDL, and MDA compared with controls (all P < 0.01). Vitamin D and zinc were negatively correlated with CRP, Ox-LDL, and MDA, while CRP, Ox-LDL, and MDA were positively intercorrelated (all P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression identified MDA, CRP, Ox-LDL, low zinc, and low vitamin D as independent predictors of hypertension, with MDA being the strongest predictor (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.80-6.75; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Essential hypertension in elderly adults is associated with micronutrient deficiencies, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress, independent of intestinal parasitic infection. These factors may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and represent potential targets for prevention and therapeutic intervention.