IL6 and Hypertension: In particular, hs - CRP, the prototypical acute - phase reactant, is not just an innocent bystander in the increase in blood pressure, but rather an active factor through several mechanisms: these include suppression of nitric oxide and increased generation of reactive oxygen species, as well as increased release of endothelin - 1 and interleukin - 6 from endothelial cells, molecules that contribute to vascular stiffness and thus may promote the development of hypertension [28].