Decreased testosterone levels and elevated SHBG levels in hypertensive individuals may result from heightened inflammatory cytokine activity, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which are implicated in both RA pathogenesis and hormonal dysregulation (52, 53). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.