scholarly journals Femoral Intima-media Thickness, Risk Factors, and Markers of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Jeremiás ◽  
Katalin Makó ◽  
Anca Bogdan ◽  
Ioana Miu ◽  
Alexandra Șerdean ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral vascular pathologies caused by atherosclerosis is constantly increasing. There is continuous research aiming to develop new methods that can evaluate the extent of atherosclerotic disease in different vascular beds, thus estimating global risk. Similar to carotid artery thickness, which is an established marker for increased cardiovascular risk and cerebrovascular disease, femoral intima-media thickness (f-IMT) may have the same role in case of peripheral arterial involvement. The aim of the study was determine whether f-IMT, determined at the level of the superficial femoral artery, is related to traditional risk factors, markers of peripheral vascular atherosclerosis and inflammation. Material and methods: Forty-six patients with known cardiovascular disease were included in the study. Demographical data, cardiovascular history, and risk factors were assessed. We determined metabolic parameters (uric acid, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), renal function (creatinine and GFR), and inflammation status for all patients. Each patient underwent ultrasound examination of the superficial femoral artery, by which f-IMT was determined for right and left limbs. Ankle-brachial index was also calculated. Data from the low (f-IMT <0.75 mm) and high (f-IMT >0.75 mm) f-IMT groups were compared and correlation coefficients were determined in each groups for f-IMT in relation to the other parameters. Results: Mean age was 71.08 ± 9.78 years. 86.95% of the patients suffered from hyper-tension, 56.62% had coronary heart disease, and 21.73% had a history of stroke. More females had history of hypertension and CAD. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were dyslipidemia (68.86%), diabetes (21.73%), and smoking (21.73%). There were significant differences between gender groups for total cholesterol levels (161.36 ± 25.04 mg/dL, 95%CI 150.26–172.47 in males vs. 201.33 ± 52.73 mg/dL, 95%CI 170.07–223.60 in females, p = 0.02), creatinine values (1.04 ± 0.22 mg/dL, 95%CI 0.94–1.14 for males vs. 0.91 ± 0.23 mg/dL, 95%CI 0.81–1.00 for females, p = 0.018), and left f-IMT (0.87 ± 0.18 mm, 95%CI 0.79–0.95 for males vs. 0.75 ± 0.10 mm, 95%CI 0.70–0.79 for females, p = 0.0049). In the group with low f-IMT, a significant, reverse correlation was established between f-IMT, uric acid (r = −0.483, p = 0.042), and right ABI (r = −730, p = 0.0006). In the group with high f-IMT, age (r = 0.408, p = 0.031), fasting glucose (r = 0.407, p = 0.034), total cholesterol (r = 0.429, p = 0.02), HDL-cholesterol (r = −0.56, p = 0.0019), triglycerides (r = 0.45, p = 0.01), hs-CRP (r = 0.45, p = 0.01), and left ABI (r = −0.71, p <0.0001) showed a significant correlation to f-IMT. Conclusions: Increased femoral intima-media thickness is related to age, cardiovascular risk factors, and markers of peripheral arterial disease. Patients with higher f-IMT have a more augmented inflammatory status. Based on these correlations, in patients with cardiovascular disease, f-IMT could become a marker for increased cardiovascular risk.

Author(s):  
Eliana Portilla-Fernández ◽  
Shih-Jen Hwang ◽  
Rory Wilson ◽  
Jane Maddock ◽  
W. David Hill ◽  
...  

AbstractCommon carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is an index of subclinical atherosclerosis that is associated with ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD). We undertook a cross-sectional epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of measures of cIMT in 6400 individuals. Mendelian randomization analysis was applied to investigate the potential causal role of DNA methylation in the link between atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors and cIMT or clinical cardiovascular disease. The CpG site cg05575921 was associated with cIMT (beta = −0.0264, p value = 3.5 × 10–8) in the discovery panel and was replicated in replication panel (beta = −0.07, p value = 0.005). This CpG is located at chr5:81649347 in the intron 3 of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor gene (AHRR). Our results indicate that DNA methylation at cg05575921 might be in the pathway between smoking, cIMT and stroke. Moreover, in a region-based analysis, 34 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified of which a DMR upstream of ALOX12 showed the strongest association with cIMT (p value = 1.4 × 10–13). In conclusion, our study suggests that DNA methylation may play a role in the link between cardiovascular risk factors, cIMT and clinical cardiovascular disease.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Savannah E Maxwell ◽  
Kacie M Dickinson

Introduction: There is growing attention toward the role of culinary herbs and spices in improving heart health. Bioactive compounds of culinary herbs and spices have been found to exert potential health benefits in people at risk of CVD, but no recent review has been conducted to evaluate the types of herbs and spices and their effects in this population. Objectives: The purpose of the review was to evaluate the effects of culinary herbs and spices on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in adults with risk factors for CVD. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using six electronic databases, including Medline (Ovid), Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial and Web of Science in February 2017. Studies including subjects who had associated non-modifiable risk factors (older people >70 y, menopausal women), cardiovascular disease or an associated cardiovascular event (stroke or heart attack) and associated liver or kidney complications or disease, were excluded from the review. Seventeen studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used to assess bias of the included studies. Results: Twelve randomized controlled trials, 2 randomized trials, 1 non-randomized trial, 1 randomized crossover trial and 1 single-arm met inclusion criteria. In patients with Type 2 diabetes, Cinnamon at 1-1.5g/d and dichrostahys glomerata (DG), at 0.8g/d showed significant decreases in fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides and LDC-cholesterol and HbA1c and cinnamon showed increased HDL-C while DG showed significant decrease in total cholesterol. Fenugreek at 10g/d doses resulted in significant reductions in fasting glucose and total cholesterol. Nigella satvia (NS) at doses of 1-3g/d showed significant reductions in triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and increases in HDL-cholesterol. Ginger at 1-2g/d doses significantly reduced fasting glucose, triglycerides, MDA, Apo B and increase Apo A-1. In obese subjects DG and ginger resulted in significant decreases in TG and DG significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol. In subjects with hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolemia garlic at 5g/d and 20g/d doses resulted in significant decrease in TG, cholesterol and increases in HDL-C and 20g/d doses resulted in significant reductions in FBG. Conclusion: The evidence does suggest that the use of culinary herbs and spices may have beneficial effects on risk factors for CVD. Due to the presence of bias of studies there is insufficient evidence to conclude that culinary herbs and spices have significant benefits on biomarkers for CVD and that higher quality studies are needed in future research.


Pteridines ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vlastislav Šrámek ◽  
Bohuslav Melichar ◽  
Jarmila Indráková ◽  
Hana Študentová ◽  
Hana Kalábová ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of the risk factor of atherosclerosis in patients with history of breast cancer. C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, fibrinogen, glucose, magnesium, uric acid, and urinary albumin were determined by routine methods in 61 patients with history of breast cancer and 74 control subjects. Urinary neopterin and creatinine concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and intima-media thickness was determined sonographically. Breast cancer patients were significantly older and also had higher systolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipoprotein (a), serum neopterin, and intima-media thickness. Serum HDL cholesterol and magnesium concentrations were significantly higher in controls compared with patients. Differential patterns of associations between the risk factors of atherosclerosis were observed in patients with history of breast cancer compared with controls. In conclusion, the prevalence of risk factors of atherosclerosis is high in patients with history of breast cancer. Differential associations between risk factors suggest possible differences in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in breast cancer patients and controls.


Stroke ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 841-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah Ebrahim ◽  
Olia Papacosta ◽  
Peter Whincup ◽  
Goya Wannamethee ◽  
Mary Walker ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Okon Ekwere Essien ◽  
Iya Eze Bassey ◽  
Rebecca Mtaku Gali ◽  
Alphonsus Ekpe Udoh ◽  
Uwem Okon Akpan ◽  
...  

Purpose Cardiovascular disease risk factors have been associated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in white and Hispanic populations. It is therefore relevant to determine if there exists a relationship between these parameters in the African population. Patients and Methods The design of the study was cross sectional. Prostate-specific antigen concentration, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, glucose level, and insulin level were determined in 153 patients with prostate cancer and 80 controls. The patients with prostate cancer were divided into subgroups of treatment-naïve patients and those receiving ADT. Results Mean total cholesterol ( P = .010), LDL cholesterol ( P = .021), BMI ( P = .001), and waist circumference ( P = .029) values were significantly higher in patients treated with ADT when compared with treatment-naïve patients. In patients treated with ADT for up to 1 year, only mean BMI was significantly higher than in treatment-naïve patients, whereas those treated with ADT for more than 1 year had significantly higher mean BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol values when compared with treatment-naïve patients. There were no significant differences in insulin or glucose levels. Those undergoing hormone manipulation after orchiectomy had fewer cardiovascular risk factors compared with those undergoing hormone manipulation alone. Conclusion This study shows that ADT results in elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, BMI, and waist circumference values, all of which are risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors should be included in treatment plans for patients with prostate cancer.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick H. Dessein ◽  
Gavin R. Norton ◽  
Margaret Badenhorst ◽  
Angela J. Woodiwiss ◽  
Ahmed Solomon

Adiponectin and leptin are likely involved in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and therefore potential new therapeutic targets. Adiponectin inhibition could be expected to enhance cardiovascular metabolic risk. However, it is unknown whether RA changes the influence of adipokines on cardiovascular metabolic risk. We determined whether RA impacts on the independent relationships of circulating leptin and adiponectin concentrations with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in 277 black African subjects from a developing population; 119 had RA. RA impacted on the relationships of adiponectin concentrations with lipid concentrations and blood pressure, independent of confounders including adiposity (interactionP<0.05). This translated into an association of adiponectin concentrations with more favorable lipid variables including HDL cholesterol (P=0.0005), non-HDL cholesterol (P=0.007), and triglyceride (P=0.005) concentrations, total cholesterol-HDL cholesterol (P=0.0002) and triglycerides-HDL cholesterol (P=0.0003) ratios, and higher systolic (P=0.0006), diastolic (P=0.0004), and mean blood pressure (P=0.0007) in RA but not non-RA subjects. Leptin was not associated with metabolic risk after adjustment for adiposity. The cIMT did not differ by RA status, and adipokine concentrations were unrelated to atherosclerosis. This study suggests that leptin and adiponectin inhibition may not alter overall cardiovascular risk and disease in RA.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus S Ripa ◽  
Andreas Knudsen ◽  
Anne Mette F Hag ◽  
Annika Loft ◽  
Eric von Benzon ◽  
...  

Introduction: HIV-infected patients are at increased risk of myocardial infarction and arterial inflammation has been suggested as an explanation. Vascular inflammation can be assessed in vivo by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET. Hypothesis: Well-treated HIV-infected patients without known cardiovascular disease will have increased uptake of FDG in different arterial regions as compared to healthy controls. Methods: We prospectively included 26 HIV-infected patients on stable antiretroviral therapy and 25 healthy volunteers. All underwent whole-body PET/CT 3 hours after injection of FDG. FDG uptake was assessed (SUV) in the carotid arteries, the ascending, descending, and abdominal aorta. Carotid intima-media thickness was determined by ultrasound. Soluble biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation were measured by ELISA. Known cardiovascular risk factors were recorded for all included. Results: The HIV-infected patients were on stable antiretroviral therapy with full viral suppression. The HIV-infected group was older (50 vs 41 yrs; p = 0.01), had higher blood pressure and total cholesterol, and accordingly a higher Framingham risk score. FDG uptake was similar in the two groups quantified as SUVmax (figure) in the carotid region (1.67 ± 0.04 vs. 1.67 ± 0.04, p = 0.98), the ascending aorta (1.84 ± 0.06 vs. 1.97 ± 0.06, p = 0.15), the descending aorta (1.89 ± 0.08 vs. 1.93 ± 0.08, p = 0.70), and the abdominal aorta (1.70 ± 0.06 vs. 1.65 ± 0.06, p = 0.56) even when adjusting for differences in risk profile. No significant correlations between SUV, carotid intima-media thickness, known cardiovascular risk factors and soluble biomarkers were found. Conclusions: We found no evidence of increased arterial inflammation among HIV-infected patients with full viral suppression compared to controls. This may challenge the idea of chronic inflammation as the cause of cardiovascular disease among optimally treated HIV-infected patients.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rhainds ◽  
Marie Boule ◽  
Sonia Alem ◽  
Mathieu R Brodeur ◽  
Daniel Charpentier ◽  
...  

Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is an approach aiming at raising HDL-cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. The dal-PLAQUE-2 phase III study recruited 988 subjects with stable coronary artery disease. Its primary objective was to evaluate the effect of dalcetrapib on the progression of carotid atherosclerotic disease measured by intima-media thickness after one year of therapy. As dalcetrapib showed a neutral effect on cardiovascular risk in the dal-OUTCOMES study, our objective was to evaluate its effect on cIMT and markers of HDL mass, lipoprotein subclass distribution and HDL function. All subjects from dal-PLAQUE-2 who had provided serum samples at baseline and one year were included in our substudy of 193 subjects on placebo and 186 subjects on dalcetrapib. Comparisons between groups at one year were made by ANCOVA after adjustment for baseline levels. No significant differences between groups for all variables considered were observed at baseline. Dalcetrapib reduced CETP activity as measured by a fluorescent method by 30% after 1 year (p<0.001), which resulted in increases in HDL-cholesterol and apoA-I levels by 32% and 11%, respectively (both p<0.001). Dalcetrapib markedly increased the concentration of large HDL particles measured by NMR profiling (+59%, p<0.001), at the expense of small HDL particles (-9.5%, p<0.001). Cholesterol efflux capacity of serum was measured from J774 macrophages under basal conditions and after cAMP stimulation. Dalcetrapib increased basal and stimulated efflux by 7.1% and 5.5% (both p<0.001), but was without effect on the ABCA1-dependent component (p=0.26). Despite these effects, dalcetrapib had no impact on mean and maximal cIMT (p=0.98 and p=0.85). While the change in cIMT was inversely correlated with basal cholesterol efflux in the placebo group (Spearman r=-0.163, p<0.05), such a relationship was not found in the dalcetrapib group. Moreover, the change in total HDL particles concentration was inversely correlated with change in cIMT (r=0.181, p<0.05) in the placebo arm only. In conclusion, dalcetrapib raised HDL-C and larger HDL, but this had minimal effects on cholesterol efflux capacity of patients’ serum and had a neutral effect on carotid artery plaque burden.


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