Marker Of Atherosclerosis Research Articles

The correlation of atherogenic index of plasma with non-obstructive CAD and unfavorable prognosis among patients diagnosed with MINOCA

BackgroundThe atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is linked to lipid metabolism and has shown considerable prognostic value in cardiovascular disorders. However, its role in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has not been investigated. We assessed the relationship between AIP, the severity of coronary stenosis, and prognosis in MINOCA. MethodsWe included consecutive patients who were diagnosed with MINOCA. AIP was calculated using the base 10 logarithm of the ratio between the levels of TG and HDL-C. The patients were divided into four groups based on their AIP quartiles: Q1 (AIP<-0.145), Q2 (AIP≥-0.145and≤0.049), Q3 (AIP>0.049and≤0.253), and Q4 (AIP>0.253). All patients underwent follow-up for MACE. ResultsThe final analysis included 421 patients, with 188 having normal coronaries (0 stenosis) and 233 exhibiting non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (<50 % stenosis). In the multivariate logistic analysis, highest AIP (Q4) group was significantly associated with increased risk of non-obstructive CAD in MINOCA (OR,1.994;95 % CI:1.075–3.698; P = 0.029). During the follow-up period, MACE occurred in 22.8 % of MINOCA patients. Q4 group exhibited a significantly higher rate of MACE (P = 0.021). Furthermore, when both AIP and coronary stenosis status were considered, the results revealed individuals in the Q4 group with non-obstructive CAD had the highest risk of MACE (log-rank P = 0.027). The adjusted Cox analysis indicated that the Q4 group was associated with a 2.052-fold increase in the HR of MACE. ConclusionAIP exhibits a notable association with the incidence of MACE in MINOCA patients and serves as a substantial marker for non-obstructive CAD in this patient group.

Deciphering thyroid function and CIMT: a Mendelian randomization study of the U-shaped influence mediated by apolipoproteins.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) is a key marker for atherosclerosis, with its modulation being crucial for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. While thyroid function's impact on cardiovascular health is recognized, the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms influencing CIMT remain to be elucidated. In this study, Mendelian Randomization (MR) was employed to assess the causal relationship between thyroid function and CIMT. Thyroid hormone data were sourced from the Thyroidomics Consortium, while lipid traits and CIMT measurements were obtained from the UK Biobank. The primary analysis method was a two-sample MR using multiplicative random effects inverse variance weighting (IVW-MRE). Additionally, the study explored the influence of thyroid hormones on lipid profiles and assessed their potential mediating role in the thyroid function-CIMT relationship through multivariate MR analysis. The study revealed that lower levels of Free Thyroxine (FT4) within the normal range are significantly associated with increased CIMT. This association was not observed with free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), or TPOAb. Additionally, mediation analysis suggested that apolipoprotein A-I and B are involved in the relationship between thyroid function and CIMT. The findings indicate a potential U-shaped curve relationship between FT4 levels and CIMT, with thyroid hormone supplementation in hypothyroid patients showing benefits in reducing CIMT. This research establishes a causal link between thyroid function and CIMT using MR methods, underscoring the importance of monitoring thyroid function for early cardiovascular risk assessment. The results advocate for the consideration of thyroid hormone supplementation in hypothyroid patients as a strategy to mitigate the risk of carotid atherosclerosis. These insights pave the way for more targeted approaches in managing patients with thyroid dysfunction to prevent cardiovascular complications.

Retracted: Dysregulated Circulating Apoptosis- and Autophagy-Related lncRNAs as Diagnostic Markers in Coronary Artery Disease.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/5517786.].

Abstract P399: Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Measures of Early Atherosclerosis in Children With Down Syndrome

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) have unique cardiovascular (CV) risk profiles compared to the general population. Early markers of atherosclerosis can be measured and are associated with CV risk factors, although limited data are available for children with DS. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study of children with DS between 8-18 years. CV risks assessed: BMI, blood pressure, diet, activity, smoke exposure, congenital heart disease, hypothyroid, cancer, apnea, family history of early coronary disease, lipids, lipoprotein subfractions, glucose, insulin, and HS-CRP. Vascular testing included pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT). Prevalence of categorical CV risks were compared to population prevalence from NHANES data using Fisher’s exact or chi squared. Vascular measures were converted to Z scores using height and compared to population means with single sample t test, and linear regression evaluating associations between CV risks and vascular measures. Results: A total of 55 children with DS participated, 28 (51%) female, mean age 14.3 years (range 8.1-18.9). Compared to NHANES, DS children were more likely to have triglycerides &gt;90 mg/dL (63% DS vs. 10% NHANES, p=&lt;0.001) and non-HDL-cholesterol &gt;120 mg/dL (54% DS vs. 22% NHANES, p = &lt;0.001). PWV and CIMT Z scores were not significantly different from general population with mean (SD) of -0.1 (1.0) and 0.27 (1.5), respectively. Univariable analysis for PWV showed significant associations with systolic blood pressure [coefficient (95% CI): 0.04 (0.02, 0.06)] and smoke exposure [1.70 (0.35, 3.05)]. No associations were found for CIMT. Multivariable models are shown in Table 1. PWV was associated with BMI percentile and smoke exposure. No associations were found for CIMT. Conclusion: Children with DS had higher rates of lipid abnormalities compared to the general population. Lipid abnormalities were not associated with CIMT or PWV, and vascular measures adjusted for height were similar to children without DS.

Abstract 20: Dairy Consumption in Young Adulthood and Risk of Coronary Artery Calcification Later in Life

Introduction: The relationship of dairy with cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains controversial. Meta-analyses have shown a modest, protective association of dairy, and other recent evidence has indicated that whole-fat dairy may not be inferior to low-fat dairy, despite concerns about its saturated fat content. Hypothesis: Intakes of total, whole-fat and low-fat dairy during young adulthood are inversely associated with risk of incident coronary artery calcification (CAC), a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis and predictor of future CVD events. Methods: In 3,110 young adult participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, dairy consumption was assessed via a validated diet history. Intake was averaged between baseline (1985-86) and year 7 exams. The first occurrence of CAC score &gt;0 among years 15, 20 and 25 was identified in 904 participants; the remainder were censored at the last available of these exams. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate associations of CAC incidence with each of total, low-fat, and whole-fat dairy. Results: Median daily consumption of total dairy was 1.2 servings in quartile 1 and 5.4 servings in quartile 4. After adjustment for energy intake and other variables, associations of total and low-fat dairy with CAC were null. However, a monotonic trend was observed across quartiles of whole-fat dairy intake, where individuals in the highest quartile had a lower risk of CAC (hazard ratio: 0.74 (0.60, 0.93)) compared to those in the lowest quartile. Conclusions: Whole-fat dairy showed an inverse association with CAC 15 to 25 years later. Possible explanations for this finding include potentially cardioprotective effects of the unique profile of fatty acids or other fat-soluble constituents found in dairy products, as well as the displacement of foods and beverages in the diet. These results challenge dietary guidelines that recommend replacing whole-fat dairy with low-fat alternatives.

Abdominal aortic calcification is an independent predictor of perioperative blood loss in posterior spinal fusion surgery.

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), often found incidentally on lateral lumbar radiographs, is increasingly recognized for its association with adverse outcomes in spine surgery. As a marker of advanced atherosclerosis affecting cardiovascular dynamics, this study evaluates AAC's impact on perioperative blood loss in posterior spinal fusion (PSF). Patients undergoing PSF from March 2016 to July 2023 were included. Estimated blood loss (EBL) and total blood volume (TBV) were calculated. AAC was assessed on lateral lumbar radiographs according to the Kauppila classification. Predictors of the EBL-to-TBV ratio (%EBL/TBV) were examined via univariable and multivariable regression analyses, which adjusted for parameters such as hypertension and aspirin use. A total of 199 patients (47.2% female) were analyzed. AAC was present in 106 patients (53.3%). AAC independently predicted %EBL/TBV, accounting for an increase in blood loss of 4.46% of TBV (95% CI 1.17-7.74, p = 0.008). This is the first study to identify AAC as an independent predictor of perioperative blood loss in PSF. In addition to its link to degenerative spinal conditions and adverse postoperative outcomes, the relationship between AAC and increased blood loss warrants attention in patients undergoing PSF.

Early Atherosclerosis in Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patients: Significance of Vascular Markers for Risk Stratification.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that manifests as impaired low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism, resulting in lifelong exposure to high cholesterol levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is heterogeneity in cardiovascular risk for FH patients, so risk stratification is of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of increases in LDL-C and the impact of other CVD risk factors on vascular markers in the FH patient population. A total of 428 patients were included in this study and divided into two groups according to age: ≤40 years in the first group and ≥41 years in the second group. Vascular markers of atherosclerosis included the common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and cardio-vascular index (CAVI). The influence of traditional CVD risk factors on atherosclerotic changes in vascular markers was analyzed. A statistically significant difference in IMT was detected between the same sex and different age groups (p < 0.001), whereas no significant difference was detected between the sexes within each age group. In the ≤40-year-old group, the mean IMT among males was 612.5 μm (±88.2) and that among females was 580.6 μm (±77.7) (p > 0.05); in the ≥41-year-old group, the mean IMT was 697.4 μm (±138.4) for males and 700.3 μm (±114.4) for females (p > 0.05). Higher LDL-C was associated with greater IMT (r = 0.405; p = 0.009) in the younger age group (≤40 years); however, in the older age group (≥41 years), this correlation was not evident (r = -0.07; p = 0.596). Carotid plaque formation was more common among males (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.0) and hypertensive patients (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.6-4.7). Age was a mildly significant risk factor for increased ABI (β = 0.13, p < 0.05). FMD was found to be impaired for all patients, and no risk factors were shown to have further influence. Age was a significant risk factor for increased arterial stiffness, as measured by both the CAVI and PWV. Although vascular markers of atherosclerosis may provide a unique and valuable way to evaluate cardiovascular risk, the results of this study show that only increased IM thickness could be beneficial for risk stratification in young FH patients, whereas other vascular markers of atherosclerosis would be excessive, as they do not provide merit in risk evaluation in this population.

Cardiovascular risk in women with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The outcomes related to cardiovascular risk (CVR) in patients with nonclassical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) are unknown, especially those related to therapeutic options, including low doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) or oral contraceptive pills. to analyze CVR by markers of atherosclerosis in females with nonclassical form according to therapeutic options. a cross-sectional study at a tertiary center. Forty-seven females with NCAH (33.4 ± 10 years) were subdivided into: G1 (n = 28) treated with dexamethasone (0.14 ± 0.05 mg/m2/day); G2 (n = 19) with oral contraceptive pills; and G3 (30 matched controls). CVR was analyzed through serum lipids, HOMA-IR, inflammatory cytokines levels and quantitative image evaluations (pulse wave velocity-PWV, endothelial function by flow mediated dilatation-FMD, carotid intima media thickness-CIMT and visceral fat-VAT by abdominal tomography. There were no statistically significant differences in BMI, HOMA-IR, HDL-cholesterol, or triglyceride levels among groups (p > 0.05). Serum interleukin-6 levels ​​were higher in G1 than in G2 (p = 0.048), and interleukin-8 levels were higher in G1 than in G2/3 (p = 0.008). There were no statistically significant differences in VAT, PWV, FMD or CIMT among groups (p > 0.05). In multivariable regression analysis, there was no statistically significant association between glucocorticoid dose and evaluated outcomes. Adult females with NCAH did not show increased CVR using methodologies for detection of precocious atherosclerosis. Although patients receiving dexamethasone therapy had increased IL-6 and 8 levels, these data were not associated with radiological markers of atherosclerosis. Our cohort was composed of young adults and should be reevaluated in a long-term follow-up.

Efficacy of Coronary Calcium Score in Predicting Coronary Artery Morphology in Patients With Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

BackgroundCoronary artery calcium score (CACS) is an established marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) and has been extensively used to stratify risk in asymptomatic individuals. However, the value of CACS in predicting plaque morphology in patients with advanced CAD is less established. The present analysis aims to assess the association between CACS and plaque characteristics detected by near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) imaging in patients with obstructive CAD. MethodsSeventy patients with obstructive CAD underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and 3-vessel NIRS-IVUS imaging were included in the present analysis. The CTA data were used to measure the CACS in the entire coronary tree and the segments assessed by NIRS-IVUS, and these estimations were associated with the NIRS-IVUS measurements at a patient and segment level. ResultsIn total, 65 patients (188 segments) completed the study protocol and were included in the analysis. A weak correlation was noted between the CACS, percent atheroma volume (r = 0.271, P = .002), and the calcific burden measured by NIRS-IVUS (r = 0.648, P < .001) at patient-level analysis. Conversely, there was no association between the CACS and the lipid content, or the incidence of high-risk plaques detected by NIRS. Linear regression analysis at the segment level demonstrated an association between the CACS and the total atheroma volume (coefficient, 0.087; 95% CI, 0.024-0.149; P = .008) and the calcific burden (coefficient, 0.117; 95% CI, 0.048-0.186; P = .001), but there was no association between the lipid content or the incidence of high-risk lesions. ConclusionsIn patients with obstructive CAD, the CACS is not associated with the lipid content or plaque phenotypes. These findings indicate that the CACS may have a limited value for screening or stratifying cardiovascular risk in symptomatic patients with a high probability of CAD.

Evaluation of the relationship between atherosclerosis and Helicobacter pylori infection with measurement of growth differentiation factor 15 and atherosclerosis indicators in adults with no comorbidity

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate presence of subclinical atherosclerosis by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with Helicobacter pylori (HP) and to assess effects of HP on atherosclerosis by evaluating markers of atherosclerosis and blood growth differentiation factor (GDF-15) levels. Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study included 59 patients without comorbid disease who had HP and 30 healthy controls without HP in upper endoscopic biopsy. In order to assess atherosclerosis, the CIMT measurement was performed by sonography. Serum GDF-15 level was measured by ELISA method. In all patients, atherosclerosis markers were recorded. Atherogenic indices were calculated, including Castelli risk index I and II (TG/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c, respectively), plasma atherogenic index (PAI; log TG/HDL-c), non-HDL-c (TH-HDL-c) and atherogenic coefficient (AC; non-HDL-HDL-c). ResultsThe GDF-15 level and CIMT were significantly higher in HP-positive group when compared to HP-negative group (p≤0.001). There was a significant correlation between serum GDF-15 level and CIMT (r=0.445; p≤0.001). There was no correlation between other atherosclerosis markers and serum GDF-15 level or CIMT. The bacterial intensity on endoscopic specimen was only correlated with CIMT (p<0.001). Vitamin B12 and D levels were comparable among groups. ConclusionThis study suggested that there was a correlation between GDF-15 level and subclinical atherosclerosis development in patients with HP. However, GDF-15 level, which was found to be elevated while atherogenic indices were normal, can be an earlier marker for subclinical atherosclerosis.

Associations Between Visceral Fat, Abdominal Muscle, and Coronary Artery Calcification: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

The associations of body composition components, including muscle and adipose tissue, and markers of subclinical coronary artery disease are unclear. We examined the relation between abdominal computed tomography (CT)-derived measures of the area and density of fat and muscle with coronary artery calcification (CAC), using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). A total of 1,974 randomly selected MESA participants free of coronary heart disease underwent abdominal CT scans at examinations 2 or 3, with the resulting images interrogated for abdominal body composition. Using 6 cross-sectional slices spanning L2 to L5, the Medical Imaging Processing Analysis and Visualization software was used to determine abdominal muscle and fat composition using appropriate Hounsfield units ranges. CT chest scans were used to obtain CAC scores, calculated using the Agatston method and spatially weighted calcium score. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relation between abdominal visceral fat and muscle area and density to prevalent CAC. A total of 1,089 participants had a CAC >0, with an average CAC score of 310. In the fully adjusted model, for every 10-cm2 increase in visceral fat area, the likelihood of having a CAC greater than 0 increased by 0.60% (p <0.001). In the minimally adjusted model, abdominal muscle area was significantly associated with CAC >0, which became nonsignificant in the fully adjusted model. For the density of visceral fat, every 1-Hounsfield unit increase (less lipid-dense fat tissue), the likelihood of having a CAC score >0 decreased by 0.29% (p <0.05). No significant relation was observed between density of abdominal muscle and CAC >0. A greater area and higher lipid density of abdominal visceral fat were associated with an increased likelihood of having CAC, whereas there was no significant relation between abdominal muscle area or density and CAC. The quantity and the quality of fat have associations, with an important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, CAC, and their significance with respect to cardiovascular outcomes, require further evaluation.

Predicting Endothelium-Dependent Diastolic Function (FMD) and Its Correlation with the Degree of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Plaque Vulnerability for Cardiovascular Events.

This study aims to investigate the correlation between vascular endothelium-dependent diastolic function (FMD) and the degree of coronary artery disease (CAD), plaque vulnerability, and its predictive value for cardiovascular events. Initially, patients (n=100) who were admitted from January 2020 to January 2021 and intended to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were selected. Further, FMD in all patients was determined before the procedure and divided into a high-FMD group (≥4.2%) and a low-FMD group (<4.2%). Further, the data of two groups, including general information, coronary artery lesions, and plaque fibrous cap, were compared. Finally, the relationship between FMD and the degree of coronary artery lesions and plaque vulnerability was analyzed. No significant differences were observed concerning general information, number of coronary arteries-associated branches, lesion type, involvement of the left main stem (LM), the proportion of chronic occluded lesions (CTO), and lipid pool angle between the low-FMD group and the high-FMD group (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the degree of stenosis of the lesions in the low-FMD group was significantly higher than in the high-FMD group (P < 0.05). In addition, the thickness of the fibrous cap was considerably lower than that in the high-FMD group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence rate of TCFA was significantly higher than the high-FMD group (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that FMD was significantly negatively correlated with the degree of coronary artery lesion stenosis and TCFA (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with the fibrous cap thickness (P < 0.05). Overall, a negative correlation between FMD and the degree of coronary stenosis, plaque vulnerability, and a high predictive value for post-PCI cardiovascular events suggested that FMD could be a critical diagnostic marker for CAD.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Adipokines: The Role of Visfatin in Coronary Atherosclerosis

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease-related mortality globally. Traditional risk indicators for CAD, such as age, gender, hypertension, and cholesterol levels, may not reliably predict the existence and severity of the disease in all individuals. Furthermore, these risk variables may not provide information regarding the long-term prognosis and survival of the patients with stable CAD. The limitations of present screening approaches suggest the need to develop novel prognostic biomarkers for the detection of coronary atherosclerosis (CA). This review focuses on the significance of adipokines in the pathophysiology of CA. The article discusses the role of various cytokines, focusing on visfatin in developing and progressing coronary atheroma and its potential to improve risk stratification, increase diagnostic accuracy, and guide therapy decisions. Clinical evidence supporting visfatin’s role as a diagnostic marker for CAD is already available, with elevated levels observed in patients with significant CA. However, the paper acknowledges certain limitations, such as the need for more extensive longitudinal studies to validate its potential use in clinical practice to improve early diagnosis and prognosis, ultimately enhancing strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Urinary Immunoglobulin G Is a Novel Biomarker for Atherosclerotic Burden in Mild Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Urinary immunoglobulin G (IgG) may be a stronger marker of atherosclerosis than microalbuminuria are because urinary IgG reflects proteinuria level and size-selectivity loss. Microalbuminuria-not urinary IgG-is associated with mild acute ischemic stroke (MAIS). Using the Jikei University School of Medicine Stroke Registry, we selected and screened patients with symptomatic acute ischemic stroke (onset-to-door time ≤ 24 h). The exclusion criteria were (1) on-admission NIHSS scores ＞10, (2) a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥ 2 prior to stroke onset, (3) incomplete data (no urinalysis ≤ 3 days after admission or no mRS score at 90 days from stroke onset), and (4) an active malignancy. Patients at 90 days post-discharge were divided into those with favorable mRS scores of 0-1 and those with unfavorable mRS scores of 2-6. Clinical backgrounds were compared for (1) patients with positive and negative urinary IgG results, and (2) patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes. Of our study's 210 patients (164=male, median age=68, median eGFR=53.2 ml/min/1.73 m2), 30 (14%) presented with positive urinary IgG, which was associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Higher BNP, higher D-dimer, lower eGFR, and higher CAVI were associated with higher positive urinary IgG. The favorable group, comprising 155 (74%) patients, had higher negative urinary IgG than the unfavorable group (89% vs 76%, P=0.026). No statistical difference emerged regarding microalbuminuria (29% vs 29%, P=1.000). In MAIS, urinary IgG was associated with both the presence of atherosclerosis and an unfavorable outcome at 90 days after stroke onset.

Association of carotid atherosclerosis markers with all-cause and cardiovascular disease-specific mortality in persons with type 2 diabetes: a causal mediation analysis with glucose variation.

Glucose variation (GV) is independently associated with mortality in patients with diabetes. However, no study has examined the effects of carotid atherosclerosis markers on mortality after considering GV. Our purpose is to investigate the independent effects of carotid atherosclerosis markers in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) after considering GV and the mediation effects of carotid atherosclerosis markers on associations between GV with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. This study is a retrospective cohort study including 3628 persons with T2DM who were admitted to a medical center between January 01, 2001 and October 31, 2021. GV was defined as a coefficient of variation (CV) of repeated measurements within a year before the index date (date of first IMT assessment). Carotid atherosclerosis markers included intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque, and stenosis. The outcomes consisted of all-cause and expanded cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were applied. Among the participants, 286 (7.9%) had IMT ≥ 2mm, 2834 (78.1%) had carotid plaque, and 464 (12.8%) had carotid stenosis ≥ 50%. When GV was considered, IMT, carotid plaque, and carotid stenosis were significant factors for all-cause mortality (except IMT considering HbA1c-CV) and expanded CVD mortality. IMT was a significant mediator in the associations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG)-CV with all-cause and expanded CVD mortality (2 and 3.19%, respectively), and carotid stenosis was a significant mediator in the association between FPG-CV and expanded CVD mortality (3.83%). Our statistical evaluations show suggests that carotid atherosclerosis markers are important predictors of CVD mortality in persons with T2DM if GV is considered. In addition, IMT and carotid stenosis were significant mediators in the association between GV and mortality.

Elucidating the mechanisms of formononetin in modulating atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice

BackgroundAtherosclerosis(AS) poses a pressing challenge in contemporary medicine. Formononetin (FMN) plays a crucial role in its prevention and treatment. However, the detailed impact of FMN on the stability of atherosclerotic plaques and its underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.MethodsAn intervention consisting of FMN was given along with a high-fat food regimen in the ApoE-/- mouse model. The investigation included the evaluation of the degree of atherosclerotic lesion, the main components of the plaque, lipid profiles, particular markers indicating M1/M2 macrophage phenotypes, the quantities of factors related to inflammation, the infiltration of macrophages, and the identification of markers linked to the α7nAChR/JAK2/STAT3 axis effect molecules.ResultsThe evaluation of aortic morphology in ApoE-/-mice revealed that FMN significantly improved the plaque area, fibrous cap protrusion, lipid deposition, and structural alterations on the aortic surface, among other markers of atherosclerosis,and there is concentration dependence. Furthermore, the lipid content of mouse serum was assessed, and the results showed that the low-, medium-, and high-dosage FMN groups had significantly lower levels of LDL-C, ox-LDL, TC, and TG. The results of immunohistochemical staining indicated that the low-, medium-, and high-dose FMN therapy groups had enhanced CD206 expression and decreased expression of CD68 and iNOS. According to RT-qPCR data, FMN intervention has the potential to suppress the expression of iNOS, COX-2, miR-155-5p, IL-6, and IL-1β mRNA, while promoting the expression of IL-10, SHIP1, and Arg-1 mRNA levels. However, the degree of inhibition varied among dosage groups. Western blot investigation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway proteins and cholinergic α7nAChR protein showed that p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression was suppressed at all dosages, whereas α7nAChR protein expression was enhanced.ConclusionsAccording to the aforementioned findings, FMN can reduce inflammation and atherosclerosis by influencing macrophage polarization, blocking the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, and increasing α7nAChR expression.

Exploring the Correlation between Systemic Inflammatory Markers and Carotid Atherosclerosis Indices in Middle-Aged Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study investigated the association between atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation markers, specifically the C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in healthy middle-aged adults. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 1264 Korean adults aged 40-65. We assessed these inflammatory markers and carotid metrics, such as carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), plaque number (PN), plaque stenosis score (PSS), and plaque score (PS), using linear regression, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic analysis. In males, the ESR and CRP were significantly correlated with the PN (p < 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively). The ESR was correlated with the PN in females (p = 0.004). The NLR and PLR both correlated with the PS in males (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively) and females (p = 0.015 and p = 0.023, respectively). The odds ratio for the NLR as a risk factor for increased cIMT was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.15) for males and 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01-1.29) for females. The AUC for the NLR and PLR as a predictor for the PS showed significance in both men and women. Inflammatory markers, particularly the NLR and PLR, demonstrate a correlation with carotid atherosclerosis. Both the NLR and PLR hold potential as valuable surrogate markers for carotid atherosclerosis. To further substantiate their predictive efficacy, further prospective studies are needed.

Association between cardiovascular risk profile and impaired microvascular function in a Swedish middle-aged cohort (the SCAPIS study).

The aim was to investigate the relationship between microvascular function, cardiovascular risk profile, and subclinical atherosclerotic burden. The study enrolled 3809 individuals, 50-65 years old, participating in the population-based observational cross-sectional Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study. Microvascular function was assessed in forearm skin using an arterial occlusion and release protocol determining peak blood oxygen saturation (OxyP). Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the updated Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation [SCORE2; 10-year risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) events]. The OxyP was compared with coronary artery calcification score (CACS) and to plaques in the carotid arteries. Individuals with OxyP values in the lowest quartile (Q1; impaired microvascular function) had a mean SCORE2 of 5.8% compared with 3.8% in those with the highest values of OxyP (Q4), a relative risk increase of 53%. The risk of having a SCORE2 > 10% was five times higher for those in Q1 (odds ratio: 4.96, 95% confidence interval: 2.76-8.93) vs. Q4 when adjusting for body mass index and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The OxyP was lower in individuals with CACS > 0 and in those with both carotid plaques and CACS > 0, compared with individuals without subclinical atherosclerotic burdens (87.5 ± 5.6% and 86.9 ± 6.0%, vs. 88.6 ± 5.8%, P < 0.01). In a population without CVD or diabetes mellitus, impaired microvascular function is associated with cardiovascular risk profiles such as higher SCORE2 risk and CACS. We suggest that OxyP may serve as a microcirculatory functional marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and CVD risk that is not detected by structural assessments.

The role of serum asprosin levels in predicting the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Asprosin is an emerging biomarker that plays a role in metabolic diseases. This study investigates asprosin as a predictive marker for coronary artery disease (CAD) severity in diabetic patients. Diabetic patients (n = 181) and healthy controls (n = 60) were analyzed. CAD severity was assessed using SYNTAX score. Diabetic patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 = patients without CAD, group 2 = patients with low SYNTAX score, and group 3 = patients with moderate-high SYNTAX score. Asprosin levels were measured for all participants using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Asprosin levels were significantly higher in patient group compared to control group (p < 0.001). Asprosin levels were significantly higher in group 3 compared to group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.002). In logistic regression analysis, asprosin levels independently predicted patients with moderate-high SYNTAX scores. According to this analysis, 1ng/mL increase in asprosin level was found to increase the risk of having moderate-high SYNTAX score by 14.1%. When the threshold value of asprosin level was set as 22.17ng/mL, it predicted patients with moderate-high SYNTAX score with 63.6% sensitivity and 62.6% specificity. In multivariate regression analysis, SYNTAX score independently correlated with asprosin level. This is the first study in the literature to demonstrate a positive correlation between asprosin levels and SYNTAX scores in diabetic patients with CAD. More comprehensive studies with larger groups are needed.

WITHDRAWN: Epicardial Adipose Tissue: A Marker of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely associated with the pathophysiological processes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, it remains unknown whether EAT increases the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with HFpEF. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study in 112 HFpEF patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2021 to May 2022, who undergoing at least once coronary artery examination. The thickness of EAT was measured by echocardiography. The correlation between EAT and CAD was analyzed by multifactorial binary logistic regression. ResultsCompared to patients without CAD, EAT thickness was noticeably higher in patients with CAD (P = 0.002). Spearman correlation analysis showed that CAD (r = 0.289, P = 0.002) and Gensini score (r = 0.334, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with EAT thickness. Furthermore, after adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking history and a part of biochemical indexes, EAT thickness was associated with CAD (OR ranged from 1.450 to 1.472, all P values ＜0.05). ConclusionsEAT thickness was correlated with CAD in patients with HFpEF.