Abstract: AIM:To explore the relationship between adiponectin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with EH (EH group, including 20 cases, respectively, of high blood pressure level 1, level 2 and level 3) and 20 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled. Serum adiponectin and IL-6 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin concentration in EH group was significantly lower than in control group ［(8.2±3.8) mg/L vs. (10.4±2.9) mg/L, P<0.05］. However, the serum level of IL-6 in the EH group was higher than in the control group ［(81±4) μg/L vs. (18±5) μg/L, P<0.05］. Serum adiponectin concentration was negatively correlated with IL-6 (r=-0.782, P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that systolic blood pressure, severity of hypertension and IL-6 level significantly affected serum adiponectin level. CONCLUSION: Hypoadiponectinemia is present in patients with EH and adiponectin concentration is closely related with the severity of hypertension.