Normal Arterial Stiffness Research Articles

Association between renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphism and cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with COVID-19

Aim. To assess the relationship between arterial stiffness and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphism in patients with COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).Material and methods: 100 patients (mean age of 58.1±11.98 years; 51% women, 49% men) were included in the cross-ectional study. This study included adult patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to the University Hospital. All patients were evaluated for arterial stiffness using cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) by sphygmomanometry. Also alleles and genotypes of several polymorphic markers were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction in human DNA preparations: rs4762 of angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, rs1799752 of angiotensin-converting enzyme type 1 gene (ACE1), rs5186 of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (ATP1), and rs1403543 of angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene (ATP2). The distributions of alleles and genotypes in groups with normal and elevated arterial stiffness (CAVI ≥9.5) were compared.Results. Elevated arterial stiffness (CAVI ≥9.5) was found in 29%. A significantly higher frequency of ATP1 rs5186 genotypes including the A allele, i.e., A/A+A/C versus C/C, was found in subjects with normal CAVI: 95.0% and 5.0% compared with 87.5% and 12.5% in those with CAVI ≥9.5 (χ2=3.907, p=0.049). A significantly higher frequency of genotypes involving the D allele (DD and ID) was detected in patients with increased stiffness: 95.0% compared to 81.3% in the group with normal stiffness (χ2=9.280, p<0.003), and a significantly higher frequency of genotypes including the A-allele: 68.7% and 31.3% compared to 55.0% and 45.0% in individuals with normal arterial stiffness (χ2=4.160, p=0.042). As a result, in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the presence of increased arterial stiffness with a CAVI level ≥9.5 was associated with a higher frequency of adverse D/D genotype of ACE1 rs1799752, C/C genotype of ATP1 rs5186, A/A genotype and A allele of ATP2 rs1403543.Conclusion. Thus, the presence of certain unfavorable genotypes of ACE1, ATP1 and ATP2 may contribute to the formation of higher arterial stiffness in COVID-19 and be considered as a non-modifiable risk factor for increased vascular wall stiffness along with such a significant factor as age.

Causal Association of Arterial Stiffness With the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease

BackgroundPrevious studies on the direction of the association between arterial stiffness (AS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were inconsistent, leaving a knowledge gap in understanding the temporal sequence of the association. ObjectivesThis study sought to assess the temporal and longitudinal relationship between AS and CKD. MethodsThe temporal relationship between AS measured by brachial ankle pulse wave velocity and CKD measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was analyzed among 7,753 participants with repeated examinations in the Kailuan study using cross-lagged panel analysis. The longitudinal associations of AS status and vascular aging (VA) phenotype with incident CKD were analyzed among 10,535 participants. ResultsThe adjusted cross-lagged path coefficient (β1 = −0.03; 95% CI: −0.06 to −0.01; P < 0.0001) from baseline brachial ankle pulse wave velocity to follow-up eGFR was significantly greater than the path coefficient (β2 = −0.01; 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.01; P = 0.6202) from baseline eGFR to follow-up brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (P < 0.0001 for the difference). During a median follow-up of 8.48 years, 953 cases of incident CKD (9.05%) occurred. After adjustment for confounders, borderline (HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.38) and elevated AS (HR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.12-1.72) was associated a higher risk of CKD, compared with normal AS. Consistently, supernormal VA (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66-0.86) was associated with a decreased and early VA (HR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.29-1.43) was associated with an increased risk of CKD, compared with normal VA. ConclusionsAS appeared to precede the decrease in eGFR. Additionally, increased AS and early VA were associated with an increased risk of incident CKD.

Association Between Progression of Arterial Stiffness and Left Ventricular Remodeling in a Community-Based Cohort

BackgroundCross sectionally measured, elevated arterial stiffness is associated with unfavorable left ventricular (LV) remodeling, suggesting its important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. However, data linking the degree of arterial stiffness progression with LV remodeling are scarce. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between longitudinal change in arterial stiffness and changes in LV remodeling. MethodsSerial measurements of arterial stiffness by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) were performed in 317 participants without cardiovascular disease and with normal arterial stiffness. LV size, mass, and function were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography and including LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) by speckle-tracking and tissue Doppler velocity (e’) of the mitral annulus (diastolic function). ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 26.8 mo, there was a significant increase in CAVI (P < 0.001). Generalized estimating equation analyses showed that longitudinal increase in CAVI was associated with impaired LVGLS (estimate 0.46, 95% CI: 0.11-0.82; P = 0.010) after adjustment for demographics and baseline cardiovascular factors, but not with changes of LV mass index and e’ velocity. When controlling for longitudinal change of covariates, CAVI progression remained associated with change in LVGLS (estimate 0.50, 95% CI: 0.16-0.85; P = 0.004). In sex stratified analysis, progression of CAVI was significantly associated with LVGLS deterioration only in women (estimate 0.92, 95% CI: 0.27-1.58; P = 0.006). ConclusionsLongitudinal increase in arterial stiffness is associated with deterioration in LVGLS. Vascular-ventricular coupling plays an important role in the progressive decline in ventricular function even at an early, subclinical stage.

Composition and Functional Capacity of Gut Microbes are Associated with Arterial Stiffness: A Prospective Study

Objective: Arterial stiffness is an important predictor of cardiovascular disease. Microbial diversity in the gut has been shown to be associated inversely with arterial stiffness in Caucasian populations. However, due to the different profiles of the gut microbiota among ethnicities, the relationship between gut-microbiota dysbiosis and the progression of arterial stiffness merits further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the association between the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiota and the progression of arterial stiffness. Methods: “Shotgun” metagenomics sequencing were undertaken in 96 individuals from a hypertension-associated gut-microbiota study in the Kailuan cohort, who measured brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and provided fecal samples between September 2014 and February 2015 at Kailuan General Hospital and 11 affiliated hospitals. The different composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiota were compared between individuals without arterial stiffness (normal arterial stiffness group, baPWV &lt;1,400 cm/s, n = 27) and participants with arterial stiffness (increased arterial stiffness group, baPWV ≥1,400 cm/s, n = 69) at baseline. These participants were followed up prospectively for a mean duration of 2.6 years, and 50 underwent a repeat baPWV measurement. Associations between the gut microbiota and severity and progression of arterial stiffness were assessed using MaAsLin2 software after adjustment for age, sex, and mean arterial blood pressure and correction for multiple testing. Gene “catalogs” were aligned to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database to obtain information for potential functional capacities of the gut microbiota. Results: In this study, 14 genera and 50 species of bacteria were identified to be abundant in participants with normal arterial stiffness compared with those with increased arterial stiffness. Of 14 genera, the prevalence of beneficial bacteria of the genera Leadbetterella and Cytophaga was correlated inversely with baPWV (P &lt; 0.05). Analyses of functional capacity revealed gut-microbial dysfunctions in the synthetic processes of “threonine dehydratase” “hypothetical protein” “mannosyl transferase” and “type-IV secretion-system proteins” in individuals suffering from arterial stiffness. During follow-up, bacteria of the proinflammatory genera Escherichia, Shigella, and Ruegeria were enriched in individuals with increased baPWV. Functional analyses showed that 26 KEGG orthologs of gut microbes were associated with an increase in baPWV and involved in “carbohydrate metabolism” “amino acid metabolism” and “protein families related to genetic information processing.” Conclusions: The composition and functional capacity of the microbial community in the gut of people suffering from arterial stiffness differed from those in individuals not suffering from arterial stiffness. Our data provide a new direction for the causality of the host-gut microbiota in arterial stiffness.

The effect of arteriosclerosis on new-onset renal damage in diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of arteriosclerosis on new-onset renal damage in a Chinese community population with diabetes. Patients with diabetes who had attended at least one physical examination after the Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) test from 2010 to 2018 were selected as subjects. A total of 4,462 patients were included in the study cohort. BaPWV levels <1,400 cm/s, 1,400-1,799 cm/s, and ≥1,800 cm/s were applied to divide the subjects into a normal arterial stiffness group, borderline atherosclerosis group and atherosclerosis group. Renal damage was defined by isolated proteinuria, isolated eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, proteinuria and eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. A Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the effect of different groups on new-onset renal damage. After a median follow-up of 2.85 (1.88-4.90) years, Cox proportional risk models showed that after adjusting for risk factors, compared with the normal group, the HR and 95% CI of the risk of new-onset renal damage were 1.29 (95% CI: 0.95-1.76) and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.14-2.22) in the borderline atherosclerosis group and the atherosclerosis group, respectively. Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for new-onset renal damage, especially new-onset proteinuria, in diabetic patients.

Association Between Arterial Stiffness and New-Onset Heart Failure: The Kailuan Study.

Arterial stiffness (AS) was associated with heart failure (HF) in previous studies based on specific populations with small samples and the effects of age and blood pressure on AS were not taken into account. Whether AS was independently associated with new-onset HF in community dwellers has not been fully investigated to date. Individuals who participated in health evaluations and underwent synchronized brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) screening in 2010 to 2019 were included. They were free of HF and atrial fibrillation at baseline. The participants were allocated to 3 groups according to their baPWV values. Normal AS was defined as baPWV <1400 cm/s, borderline AS was defined as 1400≤baPWV<1800 cm/s, and elevated AS was defined as baPWV ≥1800 cm/s. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios with 95% CIs of new-onset HF across different AS groups. A total of 40 064 participants were enrolled with a mean age of 48.81±12.67 years. During a mean 5.53 years of follow-up, 411 participants developed HF. Compared with the normal AS group, the hazard ratio (95% CI) for incident HF was 1.97 (1.36-2.86) for the borderline AS group and 2.24 (1.49-3.38) for the elevated AS group in the multivariable-adjusted model. For each 1 SD (359 cm/s) increase in baPWV, the hazard ratio (95% CI) for new-onset HF was 1.10 (1.02-1.20). AS was positively associated with a higher risk of new-onset HF independently of traditional risk factors, with a dose-responsive effect.

Combined evaluation of arterial stiffness, glycemic control and hypertension for macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes

BackgroundArterial stiffness, glycemic control and blood pressure are risk factors of macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the combined association of arterial stiffness, glycemic control and hypertension status with the occurrence of diabetic macrovascular complication.MethodsA total of 1870 patients of diabetes were enrolled from Beijing Health Management Cohort between 2008 and 2018 as baseline, and then followed for macrovascular complication onset. We proposed a composite risk score (0–4) by arterial stiffness severity, pool glycemic control and hypertension status. Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe mean age (SD) of this population was 59.90 (12.29) years. During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 359 (19.2%) patients developed macrovascular complication. Compared to the normal arterial stiffness and good glycemic control group, patients with severe arterial stiffness and pool glycemic control had the highest risk of macrovascular complications (HR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.42–5.25). Similarly, those of severe arterial stiffness and hypertension had the highest risk (HR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.61–4.50). Patients of the composite score > 2 had a significantly increased risk of macrovascular complication.ConclusionThis study suggested the clinical importance of combined evaluation of arterial stiffness, glycemic control and hypertension status for the risk stratification and management of macrovascular complication of type 2 diabetes.

Subjects Conceived through Assisted Reproductive Technologies Display Normal Arterial Stiffness.

Multiple studies reported signs of vascular dysfunction in subjects conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The assessment of arterial stiffness in this cohort seems beneficial for risk stratification. Regional arterial stiffness of the abdominal aorta (AAO) and the common carotid arteries (CCA) was evaluated sonographically using two-dimensional speckle tracking in subjects conceived through ART and spontaneously conceived peers. Global arterial stiffness was assessed utilizing an oscillometric blood pressure device. The cohorts of 67 ART subjects and 86 spontaneously conceived peers (11.31 (8.10-18.20) years vs. 11.85 (8.72-18.27) years, p = 0.43) did not differ significantly in parameters of regional and global arterial stiffness. In the sub-analysis of study participants ≥10 years of age, markers of arterial stiffness did not display significant differences between both groups. However, a higher tendency of brachial systolic blood pressure was demonstrated in the ART cohort compared to the control group (120.18 ± 9.57 mmHg vs. 116.55 ± 8.05 mmHg, p = 0.050). The present study displayed no significant differences in arterial stiffness between ART subjects and spontaneously conceived peers. Moreover, this study suggests that arterial stiffness does not elevate more profoundly in ART subjects with increasing age. Further studies are required for a more detailed cardiovascular risk stratification of the ART cohort.

Association Between Plasma Fibulin-1 and Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Arterial Stiffness.

Arterial stiffness forms the basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is also an independent predictor of CVD risk. Early detection and intervention of arterial stiffness are important for improving the global burden of CVD. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the gold standard for assessing arterial stiffness and the molecular mechanism of arterial stiffness remains to be studied. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is one of the major mechanisms of arterial stiffness. Partial quantitative changes of ECM proteins can be detected in plasma. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that a discovery proteomic comparison of plasma proteins between high arterial stiffness (baPWV ≥ 1,400 cm/s) and normal arterial stiffness (baPWV < 1,400 cm/s) populations might identify relevant changed ECM proteins for arterial stiffness. Plasma samples were randomly selected from normal arterial stiffness (n = 6) and high arterial stiffness (n = 6) people. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) based quantitative proteomics technique was performed to find a total of 169 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Nine ECM proteins were included in all DEPs and were all up-regulated proteins. Fibulin-1 had the highest statistically fold-change (FC = 3.7, p < 0.0001) in the high arterial stiffness population compared with the control group during the nine ECM proteins. The expression of plasma fibulin-1 in normal arterial stiffness (n = 112) and high arterial stiffness (n = 72) populations was confirmed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Similarly, ELISA results showed that plasma concentrations of fibulin-1 in the high arterial stiffness group were higher than those in the normal arterial stiffness group (12.69 ± 0.89 vs. 9.84 ± 0.71 μg/ml, p < 0.05). Univariate analysis of fibulin-1 with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) indicated that fibulin-1 was positively correlated with baPWV in all participants (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and a stronger positive correlation between baPWV and fibulin-1 in high arterial stiffness group (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001) was found. Multiple regression analysis of factors affecting baPWV showed that fibulin-1 was also a significant determinant of the increased ba-PWV (R2 = 0.635, p = 0.001). Partial correlation analysis showed that baPWV increased with the growth of plasma fibulin-1(r = 0.267, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that fibulin-1 is positively correlated with ba-PWV and an independent risk factor for arterial stiffness.

Hypertension, Arterial Stiffness, and Diabetes: a Prospective Cohort Study.

Background:Whether the combination of different blood pressure and arterial stiffness (AS) status is independently associated with diabetes has not been fully investigated so far. This study aimed at investigating the status of hypertension and AS in determining diabetes.Methods:This prospective cohort study included 11 156 participants from the Kailuan study. AS was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. We compared the risk of diabetes between individuals with ideal vascular function (defined as normotension with normal AS), normotension with elevated AS, hypertension with normal AS, and hypertension with elevated AS.Results:After a median follow-up of 6.16 years, diabetes occurred in 768 participants. Compared with ideal vascular function group, the highest risk of diabetes was observed in hypertension with elevated AS group (hazard ratio, 2.42 [95% CI, 1.93–3.03]), followed by normotension with elevated AS group (hazard ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.68–2.66]), hypertension with normal AS group exhibited the lowest risk of diabetes (hazard ratio, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.08–2.02]). Multiple sensitivity and subgroup analyses yielded similar results. Furthermore, the additional of AS to a conventional model including traditional risk factors had a higher incremental effect on the predictive value for diabetes than the addition of hypertension (the C statistics was 0.707 versus 0.695; the integrated discrimination improvement was 0.65% versus 0.28%; net reclassification improvement was 40.48% versus 34.59%).Conclusions:Diabetes is associated with not only hypertension but also AS. Additionally, AS shows a better predictive ability than hypertension in predicting diabetes.

Hypertension, Arterial Stiffness, and Clinical Outcomes: A Cohort Study of Chinese Community-Based Population.

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Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Risk Scores Predicted by 2 Different Models

Abstract Background To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk predicted by models of pooled cohort equations (PCEs) or ASCVD risk in China (China-PAR). Methods A cross-sectional clinical study was carried out, in which clinical data were collected from 1,090 subjects aged 30–75 years who were admitted to a university affiliated hospital from 2016 to 2018. Arterial stiffness was examined by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). All subjects were divided into 2 groups: normal arterial stiffness (cfPWV &amp;lt;10 m/second) and elevated arterial stiffness (cfPWV ≥10 m/second). Ten-year ASCVD risk was predicted by either PCE or China-PAR. Results ASCVD risks predicted by 2 models in the elevated arterial stiffness group were higher than those in the normal arterial stiffness group [PCE: 16.5% (8.6%–28.3%) vs. 6.3% (2.7%–12.3%); China-PAR: 8.8% (6.1%–12.4%) vs. 3.9% (2.1%–6.6%), both P &amp;lt; 0.001]. The correlation coefficient between cfPWV and ASCVD risk predicted by China-PAR was greater than that by PCE (0.573 vs. 0.503, z = 5.272, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that 10-year ASCVD risk predicted by PCE model (β = 0.475, P &amp;lt; 0.001) and waist circumference (β = 0.092, P = 0.001) correlated with cfPWV. However, when PCE was replaced by China-PAR, only ASCVD risk (β = 0.573, P &amp;lt; 0.001), not waist circumference, was associated with arterial stiffness. Receiver operation characteristic curve showed that the discrimination of 10-year ASCVD risk predicted by China-PAR for arterial stiffness was better than PCE (area under curve 0.814 vs. 0.767, z = 4.992, P &amp;lt; 0.001). A stratification analysis revealed that the better discrimination by China-PAR mainly came from males. Conclusions Ten-year ASCVD risks predicted by either China-PAR or PCE are associated with arterial stiffness. The association is stronger when the risk is predicted by China-PAR, especially in males.

Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Risk Scores Predicted by 2 Different Models

Abstract Background To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk predicted by models of pooled cohort equations (PCEs) or ASCVD risk in China (China-PAR). Methods A cross-sectional clinical study was carried out, in which clinical data were collected from 1,090 subjects aged 30–75 years who were admitted to a university affiliated hospital from 2016 to 2018. Arterial stiffness was examined by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). All subjects were divided into 2 groups: normal arterial stiffness (cfPWV &amp;lt;10 m/second) and elevated arterial stiffness (cfPWV ≥10 m/second). Ten-year ASCVD risk was predicted by either PCE or China-PAR. Results ASCVD risks predicted by 2 models in the elevated arterial stiffness group were higher than those in the normal arterial stiffness group [PCE: 16.5% (8.6%–28.3%) vs. 6.3% (2.7%–12.3%); China-PAR: 8.8% (6.1%–12.4%) vs. 3.9% (2.1%–6.6%), both P &amp;lt; 0.001]. The correlation coefficient between cfPWV and ASCVD risk predicted by China-PAR was greater than that by PCE (0.573 vs. 0.503, z = 5.272, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that 10-year ASCVD risk predicted by PCE model (β = 0.475, P &amp;lt; 0.001) and waist circumference (β = 0.092, P = 0.001) correlated with cfPWV. However, when PCE was replaced by China-PAR, only ASCVD risk (β = 0.573, P &amp;lt; 0.001), not waist circumference, was associated with arterial stiffness. Receiver operation characteristic curve showed that the discrimination of 10-year ASCVD risk predicted by China-PAR for arterial stiffness was better than PCE (area under curve 0.814 vs. 0.767, z = 4.992, P &amp;lt; 0.001). A stratification analysis revealed that the better discrimination by China-PAR mainly came from males. Conclusions Ten-year ASCVD risks predicted by either China-PAR or PCE are associated with arterial stiffness. The association is stronger when the risk is predicted by China-PAR, especially in males.

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure in Ts65Dn and Wild‐type Mice

Down syndrome (Ds), resulting from triplication of the 21st chromosome, is the most common chromosomal abnormality. Severity can vary between individuals, but Ds is commonly associated with developmental delays and cognitive impairments. Ds also presents with lower resting blood pressure, which is often viewed as a beneficial health trait. However, the blood pressure response during exercise is attenuated compared to the general population. An inability to appropriately regulate blood pressure likely influences daily living in Ds. Hence, investigating cardiovascular abnormalities is important for identifying intervention targets in this population. We aimed to document conscious heart rate and blood pressure of Ts65Dn (Ts) mice, a model of Ds, and hypothesized that Ts mice would have lower resting blood pressure and heart rate, but normal arterial stiffness compared to their wild‐type (WT) counterparts. Mice were tested for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) using a CODA volume‐pressure tail cuff system (Kent Scientific, Torrington, CT) at six (n=14/group), nine (n=7/group) and twelve (n=8 WT, n=6 Ts) months of age. Arterial stiffness was measured for a subset of nine‐month‐old mice (n=4/group) using pulse wave velocity (PWV) calculated as distance/time (cm/msec) and normalized to MAP (mmHg). Freely‐moving heart rate (HR) for twelve‐month‐old animals (n=11 WT, n=6 Ts) during the light and dark periods of circadian cycle were quantified with a MouseOx pulse oximetry and heart rate neck collar (Starr Life Sciences, Oakmont, PA). Data shown are presented as WT vs. Ts, mean±SD. WT mice had higher SBP (108±19 vs. 82±13 mmHg, p=0.01), DBP (82±18 vs. 59±12 mmHg, p=0.02) and MAP (91±18 vs. 67±12 mmHg, p=0.01) compared to Ts counterparts at nine months of age. Similar data were collected at six and twelve months, where SBP, DBP and MAP were all higher in WT mice (p&lt;0.05). Absolute (198.1±18.2 vs. 152.3±56.0 cm/msec, p=0.17) and normalized (2.0±0.4 vs. 2.3±0.6 cm/msec/mmHg, p=0.41) PWV was not significantly different between WT and Ts groups. This is comparable to Ds, where differences in PWV disappear when normalized to their lower blood pressure. While HR was not different during the light (resting) cycle between WT and Ts mice (673±83 vs. 661±30 bpm, p=0.79), WT mice had higher HR during the dark (active) cycle (759±40 vs. 710±41 bpm, p=0.03). The lower HR in Ts during more active periods is similar to Ds, suggesting a reduced ability to increase cardiac output during times of activity. Thus, Ts65Dn mice showcase blood pressure and heart rate characteristics that recapitulate the cardiovascular profile observed in Ds individuals. Ts65Dn is a model that can uncover more information about the progression and etiology of blood pressure and heart rate regulation across the lifespan in Ds. Future directions include exploration of the autonomic contributions to these present findings.Support or Funding InformationFunded by 1 R15 HD076379‐01A1, CNR supported by 1 R15 HD076379‐01A1S1.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Comparison of blood lipid levels and influencing factors among normotensive young and middle-aged people with different brachial ankle pulse wave velocity

Objective To compare the blood lipid levels of different brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in young and middle-aged people with normal blood pressure and to explore the related factors affecting baPWV. Methods From January 2014 to December 2017, the clinical data of one thousand two hundred and sixty-eight middle-aged and young people with normal blood pressure who underwent physical examination in Dongying People′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Using baPWV<1 400 cm/s as the standard of normal arterial stiffness, the patients were divided into normal arterial stiffness group (normal group, 1 128 cases), abnormal arterial stiffness group (abnormal group, baPWV≥1 400 cm/s, 140 cases). The blood lipid indexes of the two groups were analyzed and compared.Logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis and linear correlation analysis was used for linear correlation analysis.Pearson correlation analysis was used. Results Compared with the normal group, TC((4.99±1.10) mmol/L vs.(4.48±1.03) mmol/L, t=5.830), TG((1.62±0.27) mmol/L vs.(1.49±0.23) mmol/L, t=5.102), LDL-C[(3.25±0.23) mmol/L vs.(3.11±0.16) mmol/L, t=4.712), Apo B((0.96±0.07) g/L vs.(0.87±0.08) g/L, t=4.297 )in abnormal group all increased, and HDL-C((1.15±0.09) mmol/L vs.(1.27±0.07) mmol/L, t=4.712) decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Smoking, high FPG, high LDL-C, high Apo B, low HDL-C were the independent factors affecting baPWV abnormality(P<0.05). TC, TG, LDL-C, Apo B and baPWV in abnormal group were positively correlated(P<0.05), and HDL-C and baPWV were negatively correlated(P<0.05). There was a linear regression relationship between LDL-C, Apo B and baPWV (P<0.05). Conclusion The increase of LDL-C and Apo B are closely related to early arterial disease in the low-risk populations of normotensive young and middle-aged people, even the risk of blood lipid may already exist within the normal range. Key words: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity; Blood fat; Arterial stiffness pressure; Normal blood pressure; Young and middle-aged people

The Effect of Microgravity on Central Aortic Blood Pressure.

Background Blood pressure has been traditionally measured at peripheral arteries. In the past decade, evidence has grown that central aortic blood pressure may be a more powerful predictor for cardiovascular events, but data on its regulation are rare. The present work examines the impact of microgravity on central blood pressure for the first time. Methods We performed 7 parabolic flights with 22 seconds of weightlessness in each parabola. Hemodynamic parameters including central systolic blood pressure were measured noninvasively in a free-floating position in 20 healthy subjects (19-43 years of age). Results Arterial elasticity at rest was normal in all participants (augmentation index 14% (interquartile range (IQR) 10-22), pulse wave velocity 5.2 m/s (IQR 5.0-5.4)). Transition of 1g to 0g led to a significant increase of central systolic blood pressure from 124 (IQR 118-133) to 127 (IQR 119-133) mm Hg (P = 0.017). Cardiac index augmented significantly from 2.5 (IQR 2.2-2.8) to 2.7 (IQR 2.3-3.0) l/min/m2 (P 0.05). Conclusion Whereas there is a multitude of studies on the effects of microgravity on peripheral blood pressure, this study provides first data on central aortic blood pressure. An acute loss of gravity leads to a central blood volume shift with an augmentation of cardiac output. In healthy subjects with normal arterial stiffness, the compensatory decrease of peripheral resistance does not outweigh this effect resulting in an increase of central blood pressure.

The Effect of Microgravity on Central Aortic Blood Pressure.

Blood pressure has been traditionally measured at peripheral arteries. In the past decade, evidence has grown that central aortic blood pressure may be a more powerful predictor for cardiovascular events, but data on its regulation are rare. The present work examines the impact of microgravity on central blood pressure for the first time. We performed 7 parabolic flights with 22 seconds of weightlessness in each parabola. Hemodynamic parameters including central systolic blood pressure were measured noninvasively in a free-floating position in 20 healthy subjects (19-43 years of age). Arterial elasticity at rest was normal in all participants (augmentation index 14% (interquartile range (IQR) 10-22), pulse wave velocity 5.2 m/s (IQR 5.0-5.4)). Transition of 1g to 0g led to a significant increase of central systolic blood pressure from 124 (IQR 118-133) to 127 (IQR 119-133) mm Hg (P = 0.017). Cardiac index augmented significantly from 2.5 (IQR 2.2-2.8) to 2.7 (IQR 2.3-3.0) l/min/m2 (P < 0.001), while peripheral vascular resistance showed a decrease from 1.30 (IQR 1.14-1.48) to 1.25 (IQR 1.15-1.40) s × mm Hg/ml (P = 0.037). Peripheral systolic blood pressure did not change significantly (P > 0.05). Whereas there is a multitude of studies on the effects of microgravity on peripheral blood pressure, this study provides first data on central aortic blood pressure. An acute loss of gravity leads to a central blood volume shift with an augmentation of cardiac output. In healthy subjects with normal arterial stiffness, the compensatory decrease of peripheral resistance does not outweigh this effect resulting in an increase of central blood pressure.

THE EFFECT OF MICROGRAVITY ON CENTRAL AORTIC BLOOD PRESSURE

Objective: BACKGROUND: Blood pressure has been traditionally measured at peripheral arteries. In the past decade evidence has grown, that central aortic blood pressure may be a more powerful predictor for cardiovascular events, but data on its regulation are rare. The present works examines the impact of microgravity on central blood pressure for the first time. Methods: We performed seven parabolic flights with 22 seconds of weightlessness in each parabola. Hemodynamic parameters including central systolic blood pressure were measured non-invasively in a free-floating position in 20 healthy subjects (19–43 years of age). Results: Arterial elasticity at rest was normal in all participants (augmentation index 14% [interquartile range IQR 10–22], pulse wave velocity 5.2 m/s [IQR 5.0–5.4]). Transition of 1 g to 0 g led to a significant increase of central systolic blood pressure from 124 (IQR 118–133) to 127 (IQR 119–133) mmHg (p = 0.017). Cardiac index propelled significantly from 2.5 (IQR 2.2–2.8) to 2.7 (IQR 2.3–3.0) l/min/m2 (p < 0.001), whilst peripheral vascular resistance showed a decrease from 1.30 (IQR 1.14–1.48) to 1.25 (IQR 1.15–1.40) s*mmHg/ml (p = 0.037). Peripheral systolic blood pressure did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Whereas there is a multitude of studies on the effects of microgravity on peripheral blood pressure, this study provides first data on central aortic blood pressure. An acute loss of gravity leads to a central blood volume shift with an augmentation of cardiac output. In healthy subjects with normal arterial stiffness the compensatory decrease of peripheral resistance does not outweigh this effect resulting in an increase of central blood pressure.

Associations Among Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, and Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Levels in Kidney Transplant Patients

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease, even after renal transplantation. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) provides an indicator of arterial stiffness, whereas fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) levels may provide a biomarker for atherosclerotic disease. We investigated the association between CAVI and FGF-21 and their relationships to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and other cardiovascular risk factors. MethodsThis study included 90 renal transplant patients. Data on CAVI, echocardiograms, homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, carotid IMT, FGF-21, and incidence of cardiovascular disease were collected and correlations were analyzed statistically. ResultsThe mean CAVI was 7.51 ± 1.69. CAVI was significantly higher in older patients (mean age, 51.54 ± 9.92 vs 42.92 ± 11.20 years, P < .001) and was positively correlated with carotid IMT (r = 0.214, P = .050) and negatively with hemoglobin (r = −0.219, P = .044). There was no association between CAVI and FGF-21 or other parameters. FGF-21 was positively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and negatively with renal function. The mean carotid IMT score was 0.57 ± 0.18. Scores were significantly higher in patients >60 years of age, with low cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein and high body mass index. Higher body mass index (P = .013) and carotid IMT (P < .001) were associated with more frequent cardiovascular events. Mean homocysteine levels remained >15 μmol/L and did not differ in those with or those without cardiac events. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that cardiovascular risk factors remain after renal transplantation, despite normal arterial stiffness. Close cardiac monitoring and risk-factor modification are therefore recommended, even after successful renal transplantation.

Association of female sex and heart rate with increased arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with increased arterial stiffness (IAS) measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and its clinical implications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods:This was an observational, cross-sectional study. The ankle–brachial PWV was used to measure arterial stiffness, and 310 patients (mean age, 49±9 years; 180 men) with type 2 DM were divided into two groups according to the results of PWV: Group 1 (IAS; n=214) and Group 2 (normal arterial stiffness; n=96).Results:Patients in Group 1 were predominantly females (48% vs. 28%, p=0.001) and showed higher blood pressure and faster heart rate (HR). The glomerular filtration rate was lower and the urine microalbumin level was higher in patients with IAS. In multiple regression analysis, female sex and faster HR were independently associated with IAS. In subgroup analysis among female patients, prior stroke was more common in patients with IAS, and faster HR and increased postprandial 2-h C-peptide level were independently associated with IAS.Conclusion:Female sex and faster HR were independently associated with IAS in patients with type 2 DM. In a subgroup analysis among female patients, prior stroke was more common in patients with IAS, and faster HR and elevated postprandial 2-h C-peptide level were found to be independently associated with IAS.