Atherogenic Index of Plasma: Novel Predictive Biomarker for Cardiovascular Illnesses

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most important cause of mortality globally. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization have declared that a precise and quick recognition of susceptible individuals to develop CVD is imperative to combat those illnesses. Additionally, developing countries need affordable alternatives to effectively prognosticate cardiovascular events. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess well-established clinical prognostic markers in Mexican women to identify affordable, specific, and useful tools to predict cardiovascular events. A cross-sectional study was performed including 340 healthy women. Anthropometric and clinical measurements were acquired from all enrolled individuals. Also, a blood sample of each participant women was obtained to complete biochemical analyses (triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) determinations. Finally, with anthropometric, clinical and biochemical determinations, atherogenic indices (Framingham risk score, Castelli's risk index, and atherogenic index of plasma) were estimated. A mean value of 6.5±7.2 was detected for the Framingham risk score, 3.7±1.3 for Castelli's risk index, and 0.12±0.22 for the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Circulating mean ADMA and FABP4 levels found in assessed women were 0.68±0.34mmol/L and 20.3±16.6ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, strong positive relationships (p <0.05) between AIP and serum FABP4 and ADMA concentrations were detected after adjustment by traditional CVD risk factors. In conclusion, AIP could be recommended as a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis of CVD events in developing countries.