Association between intima-media thickness and free fatty acids in essential hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association between intima-media thickness (IMT) and free fatty acids (FFA) in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods IMT, FFA and body mass index (BMI) were measured in 69 hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MS group) ,57 hypertensive patients without metabolic syndrome ( Non-MS group) ,and 50 healthy controls ( NC group). Results In the MS group,The BMI, serum levels of triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose (FPG) and FFA were ( 26.0 ± 2.1 ) kg/m2, (24.0 ±0.81 ) mmol/L and (5.64 ± 0.82) mmol/L respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the Non-MS group ( (24.9 ± 2.3 ) kg/m2, ( 1.93 ± 0. 55 ) mmol/L and ( 5.10 ± 1.08 ) mmol/L respectively ) and the NC group ( (23.6 ± 1.6), ( 1.49 ± 0.36) mmol/L and (4.70 ± 0.90) mmol/L respectively) ( F = 20.06, 30.96 and 15.17,P ＜0.05 or 0.01 ). FFA in the MS group ((562.11 ± 55.12)μmol/L) were significantly higher than that in the Non-MS group (402.65 ± 49.53 ) μmol/L) and the NC group ( ( 356.23 ± 45.93 ) μmol/L) ( F = 277.28, P ＜0. 01 ). IMT in the MS group, Non-MS group and NC group were (1. 10 ± 0. 13 )mm, (0. 82 ± 0. 12 )mm and (0.70 ± 0.11 ) mm, respectively, with significantly difference ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). In addition, the incidence of thickening was 28.99% (20/69), 17.54% ( 10/57 ) and 2.00% ( 1/50 ), respectively, with significantly difference ( P ＜0.01 ). Conclusions Serum level of FFA is associated with IMT in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome. Key words: Essential hypertension; Metabolic syndrome; Free fatty acids; Atherosclerosis