Impact of Intensive LDL Cholesterol Lowering on Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis Progression

Background: Osteoprotegerin and osteopontin have recently emerged as key factors in both vascular remodelling and atherosclerosis progression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory cytokine with a key role in atherosclerosis. The relationship of osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, and IL-6 serum levels with endothelial function and arterial stiffness was evaluated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We enrolled 219 patients with stable CAD and 112 control subjects. Osteoprotegerin, osteopontin and IL-6 serum levels were measured using an ELISA assay. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness. Results: There was no significant difference between control subjects and CAD patients according to age and sex. Compared with control subjects, CAD patients had significantly impaired FMD (p<0.001) and increased PWV (p=0.009). CAD patients also had significantly higher levels of osteoprotegerin (p<0.001), osteopontin (p<0.001) and IL-6 (p=0.03), compared with control subjects. Moreover, IL-6 levels were correlated with osteoprotegerin (r=0.17, p=0.01) and osteopontin (r=0.30, p<0.001) levels. FMD was correlated with osteoprotegerin levels independent of possible confounders [b coefficient= - 0.79, 95% CI (-1.54, -0.05), p=0.04]. Conclusion: CAD patients have increased osteoprotegerin, osteopontin and IL-6 levels. Moreover, there is a consistent association between osteoprotegerin and osteopontin serum levels, vascular function and inflammation in CAD patients. These findings suggest another possible mechanism linking osteoprotegerin and osteopontin serum levels with CAD progression through arterial wall stiffening and inflammation.

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An Evaluation of the Utility of Postmortem Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Lethal Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis and Hypertensive Heart Disease

Academic Forensic Pathology ◽

10.23907/2015.003 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 25-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vivian S. Snyder ◽

Sam W. Andrews ◽

Chelsea R. Curry ◽

Sarah L. Lathrop ◽

Evan W. Matshes

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Hypertensive Heart Disease ◽

Postmortem Computed Tomography ◽

Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis

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Impact of age and sex on subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in a healthy asian population

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Wong ◽

J Yap ◽

KK Yeo

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Coronary Atherosclerosis ◽

Ldl Cholesterol ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Asian Population ◽

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Age And Gender ◽

And Gender

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background and Aims The influence of age and gender on clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is well reported, but literature remains sparse on whether these extend to the disease in its preclinical stage. We aim to report the prevalence, risk-factors and impact of age and gender on the burden of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in a healthy Asian population. Methods Healthy subjects aged 30-69 years old, with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes were recruited from the general population. Subclinical coronary atherosclerosis was quantified via the Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) with CACS of 0 indicating the absence of calcified plaque, 1 to 10 minimal plaque, 11 to 100 mild plaque, and >100 moderate to severe plaque. Results A total of 663 individuals (mean age 49.4 ± 9.2 years, 44.8% male) were included. The prevalence of any CAC was 29.3% with 9% having CAC > 100. The prevalence was significantly higher in males than females (43.1 vs 18.0%, p < 0.001). These gender differences became increasingly pronounced with increasing age, especially in those with moderate-severe CAC. Multivariable analysis revealed significant associations between increasing age, male, higher blood pressure, increased glucose levels and higher LDL cholesterol levels with the presence of any CAC. LDL cholesterol was more significantly associated with CAC in females compared to males (Pinteraction = 0.022). Conclusions The prevalence of preclinical atherosclerosis increased with age, and was higher in males than females, with gender-specific differences in associated risk factors. These results will better inform individualised future risk management strategies to prevent the development and progression of coronary artery disease within healthy individuals.

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