CRP and essential hypertension: Catecholamines can also induce inflammation, induce leukocytosis, increase platelet counts, and activate platelets.[81,82] Stress hormones can induce IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and CRP production.[83] In a recent comparative study of patients with PCC and primary hypertension, catecholamines induced persistent pro-inflammatory changes in monocytes, both in vitro and in vivo.[84] Moreover, the presence of tumors may lead to immune activation and increased inflammation.