IL6 and Hypertension: Both mRNA expression and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factors-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) have been shown to be upregulated, and anti-inflammatory adiponectin to be downregulated, after adjustment for concurrent hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and body mass index (BMI) (38–42).