8 research outputs found
Plasma creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate and carotid intima media thickness in middle-aged women: A population based cohort study.
Impaired endotheliumâdependent vascular reactivity in patients with familial combined hyperlipidaemia
BACKGROUND: Familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCHL) is associated with a markedly increased risk of premature coronary artery disease. This study was designed to evaluate whether preclinical atherosclerotic functional abnormalities are detectable in the arteries of patients with FCHL. METHODS: 60 subjects were recruited for the study: 30 probands of families with FCHL (mean (standard deviation (SD)) age 48 (10)â
years, 77% men), defined by fasting total plasma cholesterol or triglyceride concentration >250â
mg/dl (>6.5â
mmol/l cholesterol, >2.8â
mmol/l triglyceride) and by the occurrence of multiple lipoprotein phenotypes within a family, and 30 ageâmatched and sexâmatched healthy controls. All subjects underwent highâresolution Bâmode ultrasound examination and the brachial arterial reactivity, a marker of endothelial function, was measured by a semiautomated computerised program. Lipid profile, resting blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, insulin and homocysteine levels were also determined. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with FCHL had significantly higher BMI, diastolic blood pressure and insulin levels. No difference was observed in baseline brachial diameter between the two groups (mean (SD) 3.45 (0.51)â
mm for FCHL v 3.60 (0.63)â
mm for controls; pâ=â0.17). In response to flow increase, the arteries of the controls dilated (mean (SD) 8.9% (4.9%), range 2.3â20.8%), whereas in the patients with FCHL, brachial arterial reactivity was significantly impaired (5.5% (2.5%), range 0â10.1%; pâ=â0.002). In multivariate linear regression analysis, apolipoprotein B and BMI were independent determinants of brachial artery response to reactive hyperaemia. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study suggest that vascular reactivity is impaired in the arteries of patients with FCHL
Dietary and circulating antioxidant vitamins in relation to carotid plaques in middle-aged women
Dietary and circulating antioxidant vitamins in relation to carotid plaques in middle-aged women
Background: The results of the few studies conducted on the relation between antioxidant vitamins and carotid atherosclerosis have been inconclusive. Objective: We evaluated the association between preclinical carotid atherosclerosis, as determined by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound, and both the intake amounts and plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins. Design: Among 5062 participants in Progetto Atena, a populationbased study on the etiology of cardiovascular disease and cancer in women, 310 women were examined by B-mode ultrasound to detect early signs of carotid atherosclerosis. The participants answered a food-frequency questionnaire, and their plasma concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and carotenoids were measured. None of the women took vitamin supplements. Results: The occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques at the carotid bifurcation was inversely associated with tertiles of vitamin E intake; the test for a linear trend across tertiles was significant (P < 0.05). Similarly, the ratio of plasma vitamin E to plasma cholesterol was inversely related to the presence of plaques at the carotid bifurcation; the test for a linear trend across tertiles was significant (P < 0.02). No association was found between the intake of other antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A and C and carotenoids) or their plasma concentrations and the presence of carotid plaques. Conclusions: An inverse association was found between both the intake amount and plasma concentration of vitamin E and preclinical carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged women. This association was independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, was not related to vitamin supplements, and supports the hypothesis that low vitamin E intake is a risk factor for early atherosclerosis
Effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels on carotid artery geometry in a Mediterranean female population
1. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2004 Oct;11(5):403-7.
Effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels on carotid artery geometry
in a Mediterranean female population.
De Michele M, Iannuzzi A, Panico S, Celentano E, Sacchetti L, Mazzaccara C,
Salvato A, Bond MG, Salvatore F, Rubba P.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University, Naples,
Italy.
BACKGROUND: Controversy remains on the relationship between high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease.
METHODS: Over 5000 women living in the area of Naples, Southern Italy, were
recruited for a prospective study on the etiology of cardiovascular disease in
the female population (the 'Progetto ATENA' study). A sample of 310 participants
underwent high-resolution B-mode ultrasound examination and the intima-media
thickness and diameters of common carotid artery were measured. In addition to
routine biochemical tests, these women also had oxidation markers determined.
RESULTS: Women in the upper HDL-C quartile (HDL-C>1.89 mmol/L) had significantly
lower body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio values, and triglycerides
concentrations when compared with women in the first three quartiles. A linear
negative association was found between HDL-C and carotid intima-media thickness
(1.07+/-0.16 mm for the IV quartile versus 1.10+/-0.20 mm for the III quartile,
1.15+/-0.26 mm for the II quartile and 1.19+/-0.23 mm for the I quartile; P<0.01
by ANOVA). No difference was found between groups with regard to carotid
diameters and oxidation markers. After adjustment for other cardiovascular risk
factors, women in the highest quartile of HDL-C had a decreased risk of carotid
intima-media thickening (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.23-0.94).
CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic middle-aged women, HDL-C levels were independently
and negatively associated with preclinical atherosclerotic changes of the carotid
artery wall.
PMID: 15616413 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE