AimTo explore the association between arterial stiffness and related cytokines of Th17 cell in essential hypertension.MethodsBrachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was observed in 280 essential hypertensive patients.According to the quartile of tested baPWV value all patients were divided into four groups, namely, baPWV＜1444 cm/s group, 1444 cm/s≤baPWV＜1767 cm/s group,1767 cm/s≤baPWV＜2169 cm/s group and baPWV≥2169 cm/s group.Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17、IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were tested in all hypertensive patients.ResultsThe levels of serum IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α were elevated in higher level of baPWV groups than that in lower level of baPWV group.The results of independent-samples T test in the level of serum IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α showed that there were significant differences in every two groups, respectively (p<0.05).BaPWV was positively correlated with IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α（r= 0.565, 0.556 and 0.447, p<0.001）, respectively.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α were risk factors of baPWV.ConclusionThe related cytokines of Th17 cell were associated with arterial stiffness in essential hypertensive patients.