Independent Relationship of Osteoprotegerin Concentrations with Endothelial Activation and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick H. Dessein ◽  
Raquel López-Mejias ◽  
Carlos González-Juanatey ◽  
Fernanda Genre ◽  
José A. Miranda-Filloy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Endothelial Activation ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Relationship Of

Objective.Osteoprotegerin (OPG) may contribute to the link between systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the relationship of OPG concentrations with endothelial activation and carotid atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.OPG concentrations and those of endothelial activation molecules were measured by using ELISA in 34 patients who were treated with infliximab (IFX), both immediately before and after an IFX infusion. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque were determined by ultrasound in 27 of the study participants.Results.Median (interquartile range) OPG concentrations decreased from 4.8 pmol/l (2.8–6.5) to 4.4 pmol/l (2.9–6.1; p = 0.04) upon IFX infusion. Baseline OPG concentrations were inversely associated with those of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (partial R = −0.50, p = 0.004, and R = −0.48, p = 0.007, respectively). Prior to IFX administration, OPG concentrations were associated with those of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 (partial R = 0.34, p = 0.05), CIMT (partial R = 0.51 to 0.52, p < 0.009), and plaque (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.01–2.29 to OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.03–2.51; p < 0.04), independent of conventional risk factors and C-reactive protein concentrations or disease activity. Except for the OPG concentrations-plaque association (p = 0.09), these relationships remained significant subsequent to IFX administration (p < 0.05). Reductions in OPG levels related to those in vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 concentrations (partial R = 0.35, p = 0.04) and had borderline significance (p = 0.09) with those in ICAM-1 (partial R = 0.29) concentrations.Conclusion.OPG concentrations are independently associated with endothelial activation and carotid atherosclerosis in RA. Reductions in OPG concentrations upon IFX administration are associated with decreased endothelial activation. OPG may be involved in increased cardiovascular disease risk and may improve its stratification in patients with RA.

Circulating Concentrations of the Novel Adipokine Chemerin Are Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1746-1754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick H. Dessein ◽  
Linda Tsang ◽  
Angela J. Woodiwiss ◽  
Gavin R. Norton ◽  
Ahmed Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Abdominal Obesity ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Endothelial Activation ◽  
Angiopoietin 2

Objective.Depending on physiological context, the adipokine chemerin can reduce or enhance cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether chemerin concentrations represent cardiovascular disease risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.We assessed ELISA-determined chemerin concentrations and those of 4 early endothelial activation molecules as well as angiopoietin 2, which mediates angiogenesis and thereby contributes to advanced atherosclerosis, the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), and carotid artery plaque by ultrasound in 236 patients (114 black and 122 white) with RA. Relationships were identified in potential confounder and mediator-adjusted mixed regression models.Results.Mean (SD) chemerin and median (interquartile range) angiopoietin 2 concentrations were 114 (35) ng/ml and 2560 (2044–3341) pg/ml, respectively; the mean (SD) cIMT was 0.708 (0.110) mm, and 40.3% of patients had plaque. Chemerin concentrations were not related to those of early endothelial activation molecules, but associated with those of angiopoietin 2 [β SE = 0.002 (0.0004), p < 0.0001] and plaque [OR 1.006 (95% CI 1.00–1.013), p = 0.05] in all patients. The presence of major conventional cardiovascular risk factors, generalized and abdominal obesity, and RA severity markers modified the independent chemerin-cardiovascular risk relations (interaction p < 0.05). Consequently, chemerin concentrations were associated with cIMT in those with but not without overweight or generalized obesity and abdominal obesity [β SE = 0.001 (0.0003), p = 0.005 and 0.001 (0.0001), p = 0.001 vs −0.001 (0.0004), p = 0.2 and −0.0002 (0.0004), p = 0.6, respectively], and with plaque in those without but not with generalized obesity [OR 1.008 (95% CI) 1.000–1.016, p = 0.03 vs 1.003 (0.990–1.017), p = 0.6, respectively]. The β (SE) for the chemerin-intima-media thickness relations in patients with overweight or generalized obesity and abdominal obesity were larger than in those without these characteristics (p < 0.0001 and = 0.04, respectively).Conclusion.Chemerin is associated with endothelial activation and atherosclerosis in RA. Adiposity influences the chemerin-atherosclerotic phenotype relations in RA.

scholarly journals Association of Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism with Adipokines and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 330
Author(s):  
Yi-Ming Chen ◽  
Po-Ku Chen ◽  
Ching-Kun Chang ◽  
Chi-Chen Lin ◽  
Hsin-Hua Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Apolipoprotein E ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atherogenic Index ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Apoe Genotypes

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism and adipokines are linked to atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the associations of apoE genotypes with adipokines, inflammatory parameters, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We enrolled 152 RA patients and 49 healthy control (HC) subjects. The apoE genotyping was determined by a polymerase chain reaction, while plasma levels of adipokines and inflammatory cytokines were measured with ELISA. Although apoE genotypes distributions were indistinguishable between RA patients and HC, we found significantly higher levels of apoE and adipokines in RA patients compared with HC. RA patients with ε2ε3 genotype had lower levels of TNF-α, IL-6, resistin, and visfatin, but higher leptin levels compared with ε3ε3 genotype patients. Patients with ε3ε4 genotype had significantly higher low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and atherogenic index scores compared with ε2ε3 genotype carriers. Moreover, patients with ε2ε3 genotype had significantly lower 10-year CVD risk than ε3ε3 or ε3ε4 genotype patients. ε3ε4 genotype and adiponectin levels were independent predictors of a high 10-year CVD risk. RA patients with ε2ε3 genotype are associated with lower levels of TNF-α, IL-6, resistin, visfatin, and CVD risk, while RA patients with ε3ε4 genotype exhibited higher levels of LDL-C, insulin resistance, and higher CVD risks.

scholarly journals Identifying Vulnerable Plaque in Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Novel Microbubble Contrast-Enhanced Carotid Ultrasonography and Serum Biomarkers

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-310
Author(s):  
Linda F. Wang ◽  
Yaming Li ◽  
Douglas P. Landsittel ◽  
Steven E. Reis ◽  
Marc C. Levesque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Vasa Vasorum ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Plaque Vulnerability ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adventitial vasa vasorum density (aVVD), the vessel density of the vasa vasorum, is a surrogate measure for atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to compare the adventitial vasa vasorum density (aVVD) in RA and non-RA control participants using novel carotid artery contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). In addition, we investigate associations of aVVD with traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, vascular and inflammatory biomarkers, and RA disease activity. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of patients with RA and control participants without RA or other autoimmune disease. CV disease risk, biomarkers, and CEUS images were collected on all patients. Results: aVVD was quantified in 86 patients with RA and 95 non-RA control participants. Nitrite, CD40L, E-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase 9, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured. Median aVVD was higher in patients with RA (0.59 [0.47–0.69] vs 0.64 [0.54–0.62]; P = .02). In patients with RA, MPO was lower (253.5 [153.2–480] vs 470.8 [274.2–830.1] ng/mL; P = .0002) and ESR was higher (15.5 [11–25] vs 13 [9–20] mm/h; P = .02). aVVD was correlated with MPO ( r = −0.33, P = .001) and hsCRP ( r = 0.25, P = .02) in control participants only, associations that remained significant after adjusting for number of CV risk factors and age. No significant correlations were found between aVVD and RA disease activity measures. Conclusions: Using a novel application of CEUS, we found that aVVD, an early measure of plaque vulnerability, was significantly higher in RA than control subjects, even after adjusting for CV risk factors. Differences in correlation of aVVD with vascular biomarkers and CV risk factors suggest RA-related differences in atherosclerotic progression.

The impact of selectins on mortality in stable carotid atherosclerosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (09) ◽  
pp. 632-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Hoke ◽  
Max-Paul Winter ◽  
Oswald Wagner ◽  
Markus Exner ◽  
Martin Schillinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Cardiovascular Mortality ◽  
Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽  
Leukocyte Adhesion ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Endothelial Activation ◽  
Cellular Adhesion ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
The Impact

SummaryCellular adhesion molecules also known as selectins promote recruitment of inflammatory cells into the arterial wall where they interact with lipid particles leading subsequently to plaque formation. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) also known as E-selectin mediate the attachment of leukocytes and have been implicated in the destabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, we hypothesised that plasma selectin levels are associated with adverse clinical outcome. We prospectively studied 855 patients with sonographically confirmed carotid atherosclerosis. During a median follow-up of 6.2 years, corresponding to 5,551 overall person-years, 275 patients (26 %) died. We detected a significant association between cardiovascular mortality and ICAM-1 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 3.43, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.00–5.88, p< 0.001) as well as VCAM-1 (adjusted HR: 2.51, 95 % CI 1.45–4.34, p=0.001) when comparing the fourth with the first quartile. Comparable results were obtained for all-cause mortality. In contrast, we could not detect a significant association between E-selectin and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality. We identified the selectins ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 as strong and independent predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with stable carotid atherosclerosis. These molecules are elevated in states of endothelial activation and might assist to monitor anti-atherosclerotic therapy and select those patients with carotid atherosclerosis, who are at higher risk for cardiovascular events.

scholarly journals FRI0060 EVALUATION OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH DUPLEX STUDY OF THE CAROTID AND FEMORAL ARTERIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 606.1-607
Author(s):  
N. De Carvalho Sacilotto ◽  
A. Ozela Augusto ◽  
D. Alves Lucena ◽  
M. Roberto Godoy ◽  
R. Duque de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Activity Score ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Femoral Arteries

Background:The increasing of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well know, even with the absence of traditional coronary risk factors. The ultrasound – duplex scan (USD) is a non invasive technique able to early detect atherosclerotic changes in the blood vessel, that gives the possibly to retard the development of symptomatic CVD.Objectives:To evaluate the cardiovascular (CVS) risk in patients with RA classificated as low risk by Framingham Score (FS), before and after the EULAR 1.5 multiplication factor and stratify with the carotid and femoral USD (intima-media thickness - IMT and atherosclerotic plaques - AP)Methods:Thirty-five female patients with RA and low CVS risk by FS and 35 healthy women with low CVS risk by FS (control group) were enrolled for the study. All of them submitted to carotid and femoral USDResults:The groups were homogenous by age and CVS comorbidities -Table 1. Mean age in the diagnosis was 44.57 years, mean disease duration was 12.11 years and mean disease activity was Disease Activity Score 28: 1,91 and Clinical Disease Activity Score: 6.176. In the RA patients group 46% showed changes in the carotid and/or femoral USD compared with 14% of the control group (p = 0,004) –Graphic 1. The USD with abnormalities in RA group 31% of the carotid USD and 81% of the femoral USD (p= 0,005) showed IMT and/or AP. After EULAR 1.5 multiplication factor, 66% remained low CVS risk. Where 35% of the RA patients showed changes in the carotid and/or femoral USD compared with 14% of the control group (p=0,07)Conclusion:The USD is able to early detect the CVD, special attention should be given to the femoral arteries, that are frequently affected. The Eular criteria is also effective and should be used in the clinical practiceReferences:[1]Mota LMH, Cruz BA, Brenol CV, et al. Diretrizes para o diagnóstico da artrite reumatoide.Rev. Bras. Reumatol 2013;53(2)[2]Charles-SchoemanC. Cardiovascular disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis: an update. CurrRheumatol Rep 2012;14(5): 455-62[3]Purcarea A, Sovaila S, Gheorghe A, et al. Cardiovascular disease risk scores in the current practice which to use in rheumatoid arthritis?Journal of Medicine and Life 2014;7(4):461-67[4]Agca R, Heslinga SC, Rollefstad S, etal.EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update.AnnRheumDis 2016[5]Abu-Shakra M, Polychuck I, Szendro G, et al. Duplex Study of the Carotidand Femoral Arteries of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Controlled Study.Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 2005;35(1):18-23[6]Freire CMV, Alcantara ML, Santos SN, etal. Recomendação para a Quantificação pelo Ultrassom da Doença Aterosclerótica das Artérias Carótidas e Vertebrais: Grupo de Trabalho do Departamento de Imagem Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia.ArqBrasCardiol: Imagem cardiovasc. 2015;28:e1- e64[7]Helck A, Bianda N, Canton G et al. Intra-individual comparison of carotid and femoral atherosclerotic plaque features with in vivo MR plaque imaging.Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2015;31(8):1611-8[8]Lucatelli P, Fagnani C, Tarnoki AD, et al, Genetic influence on femoral plaque and its relationship with carotid plaque an international study.Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2018;34(4):531-41[9]Cournot M, Bura A, Cambou JP, et al. Arterial Ultrasound Screening as a Tool for Coronary Risk Assessmente in Asymptomatic Men and Women.Angiology 2012;63(4):282-88[10]Peters MJ, Symmons DP, McCarey D, et al.Eular evidence-based recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:325-3Figure 1.Graphic 1: USD abnormalitiesIMT - intima-media thickness; AP atherosclerotic plaquesDisclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Plasma expression of microRNA-425-5p and microRNA-451a as biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Delia Taverner ◽  
Dídac Llop ◽  
Roser Rosales ◽  
Raimon Ferré ◽  
Luis Masana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Pulse Wave Velocity ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Media Thickness ◽  
Epigenetic Biomarkers

AbstractTo validate in a cohort of 214 rheumatoid arthritis patients a panel of 10 plasmatic microRNAs, which we previously identified and that can facilitate earlier diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We identified 10 plasma miRs that were downregulated in male rheumatoid arthritis patients and in patients with acute myocardial infarction compared to controls suggesting that these microRNAs could be epigenetic biomarkers for cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Six of those microRNAs were validated in independent plasma samples from 214 rheumatoid arthritis patients and levels of expression were associated with surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (carotid intima-media thickness, plaque formation, pulse wave velocity and distensibility) and with prior cardiovascular disease. Multivariate analyses adjusted for traditional confounders and treatments showed that decreased expression of microRNA-425-5p in men and decreased expression of microRNA-451 in women were significantly associated with increased (β = 0.072; p = 0.017) and decreased carotid intima-media thickness (β = −0.05; p = 0.013), respectively. MicroRNA-425-5p and microRNA-451 also increased the accuracy to discriminate patients with pathological carotid intima-media thickness by 1.8% (p = 0.036) in men and 3.5% (p = 0.027) in women, respectively. In addition, microRNA-425-5p increased the accuracy to discriminate male patients with prior cardiovascular disease by 3% (p = 0.008). Additionally, decreased expression of microRNA-451 was significantly associated with decreased pulse wave velocity (β = −0.72; p = 0.035) in overall rheumatoid arthritis population. Distensibility showed no significant association with expression levels of the microRNAs studied. We provide evidence of a possible role of microRNA-425-5p and microRNA-451 as useful epigenetic biomarkers to assess cardiovascular disease risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

scholarly journals The Marine Microalga, Tisochrysis lutea, Protects against Metabolic Disorders Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 430
Author(s):  
Claire Mayer ◽  
Léo Richard ◽  
Martine Côme ◽  
Lionel Ulmann ◽  
Hassan Nazih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
Metabolic Disturbances ◽  
Tisochrysis Lutea

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 series and especially docosahexaenoic acid are known to exert preventive effects on metabolic disturbances associated with obesity and decrease cardiovascular disease risk. n-3 LC-PUFAs are mainly consumed in the form of fish oil, while other sources, such as certain microalgae, may contain a high content of these fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tisochrysis lutea (Tiso), a microalga rich in DHA, on metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Three male Wistar rat groups were submitted for eight weeks to a standard diet or high-fat and high fructose diet (HF), supplemented or not with 12% of T. lutea (HF-Tiso). The supplementation did not affect plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). Bodyweight, glycemia and insulinemia decreased in HF-Tiso rats (ANOVA, p < 0.001), while total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (ANOVA, p < 0.001) without change of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Tiso supplementation decreased fat mass and leptinemia as well as liver TAG, cholesterol and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (ANOVA, p < 0.001) while it did not affect interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-4 and lipopolysaccharides levels. HF-Tiso rats showed an increase of IL-10 level in abdominal adipose tissue (ANOVA, p < 0.001). In conclusion, these results indicated that DHA-rich T. lutea might be beneficial for the prevention of obesity and improvement of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Effects of diets rich in ghee or olive oil on cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy adults: A 2-period, crossover, randomized trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Susan Mohammadi Hosseinabadi ◽  
Javad Nasrollahzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Dietary Fats ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Apo B ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular health-related effects of consuming ghee in the usual diet. Thirty healthy men and women were studied in a free-living outpatient regimen. The participants were instructed for the isocaloric inclusion of ghee or olive oil in their diets for 4 weeks using a randomized crossover design. At the end of run-in (baseline), 2-week wash-out, and interventions, fasting blood samples were drawn. In addition, 2-h postprandial blood samples were collected after ingestion of a meal containing olive oil or ghee at week 4 of each dietary intervention. Body weight was not different between the two interventions. Compared to the olive oil, the diet with ghee increased fasting plasma apolipoprotein-B (apo B) (0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.17 g/L, p= 0.018) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (0.53, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.05 mmol/L, p= 0.046) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not differ significantly between diet groups (0.29, 95% CI –0.05 to 0.63 mmol/L, p= 0.092), but had no significant effect on total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (0.75, 95% CI −0.24 to 1.74 mmol/L, p= 0.118). No significant difference was observed in fasting as well as 2-h postprandial plasma triacylglycerol, glucose, insulin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations. This study showed that ghee which is predominantly saturated fats had an increasing effect on plasma apo B and non-HDL-C compared to olive oil, adding further evidence to the existing recommendations to replace dietary fats high in SFA with dietary fats high in unsaturated fats to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Abstract P375: Vascular Age Versus Calendar Age as Surrogate for Atherosclerotic Burden and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne A Peters ◽  
Karlijn A Groenewegen ◽  
Hester M den Ruijter ◽  
Michiel L Bots
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Vascular Age

Background Vascular age is the chronological age of an individual adjusted by their level of atherosclerosis. Vascular age can be used as understandable communication tool towards patients. It has been proposed that carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) could be used to estimate the vascular age in individuals. The issue on how to best estimate vascular age remains an unanswered question and was evaluated in this study. Methods Data were used from the USE-IMT study collaboration, a global individual patient data meta-analysis including 14 population-based cohorts contributing data for 45 828 individuals. We used two methods to define vascular age. First, vascular age was the age at which a participant’s CIMT value would be at the 50th percentile of the age-and sex specific reference values of the healthy USE-IMT subpopulation (VA50). Second, vascular age was the age at which the estimated cardiovascular risk equals the risk of the observed CIMT value (VArisk). Results Mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) chronological age, VA50, and VArisk were 58 (9), 63 (19), and 59 (7) years, respectively. VArisk was 0.24 yrs higher in women and 1.5 yrs higher in men than chronological age whereas VA50 was 4.4 yrs higher in women and 5.8 yrs higher in men than chronological age. After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, a SD increase in VA50 and VArisk was associated with a 15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12; 1.19) and 22% (95% CI: 1.17; 1.28) higher risk of cardiovascular disease. For comparison, a SD increase in mean common CIMT increased the risk of cardiovascular disease with 15% (95% CI: 1.12; 1.19). Conclusion We presented two distinct measures a vascular age: VA50, and VArisk. VA50 is a straightforward translation of CIMT and is a measure of the age at which the average person would be expected to have a certain CIMT. In contrast, VArisk incorporates information about expected cardiovascular risk and is the chronological age of a person that conveys the same risk as the CIMT. VA50 and VArisk might provide a convenient transformation of CIMT to a scale that is more easily understood by patients and clinicians.

L-Carnitine Supplementation Increases Trimethylamine-N-Oxide but not Markers of Atherosclerosis in Healthy Aged Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna J. Samulak ◽  
Angelika K. Sawicka ◽  
Dace Hartmane ◽  
Solveiga Grinberga ◽  
Osvalds Pugovics ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Carnitine Supplementation ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
Factor Α

Background: L-carnitine can be metabolized to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a molecule that promotes atherogenesis through its interaction with macrophages and lipid metabolism. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess whether L-carnitine supplementation may promote changes in selected serum biomarkers of atherosclerosis. Methods: Before the start, in the mid-point and after completing the 24-weeks supplementation protocol, fasting blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein. Plasma free L-carnitine and TMAO were determined by the UPLC/MS/MS method. Serum proteins were determined by the enzyme immunoassay method using commercially available kits. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides have been determined using standard automatic analyzer. Results: L-carnitine supplementation elevated fasting plasma carnitine in the mid-point of our study and it remained increased until the end of supplementation period. Moreover, it induced tenfold increase in plasma TMAO concentration but did not affect serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, L-selectin, P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 or lipid profile markers. Conclusion: We demonstrated that ­although oral L-carnitine supplementation significantly ­increased plasma TMAO concentration, no lipid profile changes or other markers of adverse cardiovascular events were detected in healthy aged women over the period of 24 weeks.

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