Abstract 622: Inflammation and Arterial Compliance: A Paradox? The Bogalusa Heart Study

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic inflammation -as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)- is adversely associated with arterial compliance. However, information is scant on whether this association in consistent throughout the different non-invasive measurements of arterial compliance. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that divergences exist in the association between hs-CRP and measurements of arterial compliance, and that this association differs among race (white/black) groups in relatively young adults. Methods: Measurements of hsCRP and non-invasive arterial compliance --large-artery elasticity index (C1), small-artery elasticity index (C2), brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (ba-PWV) and augmentation index (AI@75)-- were assessed in 702 non-institutionalized participants with a mean age of 43.5 years (29.4-51.1 years); 70.8% whites and 43.7% males, as a part of the Bogalusa Heart Study. Race-specific independent associations were tested through multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses. Results: Black vs white participants had higher hs-CRP, baPWV and AI@75 (p<0.01); whereas C1 and C2 were higher in whites (p<0.01). In multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses, controlling for: age, sex, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), body mass index (BMI), smoking status and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP was significantly and independently associated with AI@75 (β=0.11, p<0.01) and C1 (β=-0.08, p=0.04), in whites only. In contrast, black participants did not show any significant associations among these parameters. C2 and baPWV did not exhibit association with either race group. Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings help enhance the concept that the association of inflammation and arterial compliance is seemingly relative, as it is dependent on the measurement used to assess the latter; with its impact varying by race (black-white). Further, these observations may aid in revising existing methodologies used in the diagnosis of inflammation-mediated structural and functional damage, in addition to enhance race-specific approaches for screening and prevention of cardio-metabolic risk factors.