Elevated Circulating Lipocalin-2 Levels Independently Predict Incident Cardiovascular Events in Men in a Population-Based Cohort

Abstract

Objective-Adipose tissue inflammation and perturbation of adipokine secretion may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), mainly released from adipocytes, has been shown to be positively associated with CVD in cross-sectional studies. We aimed to evaluate the association of LCN2 with CVD involving a population-based cohort recruited from the Shanghai Diabetes Study. Approach and Results-Serum LCN2 levels were measured using ELISA. Independent predictors of CVD development were identified using Cox proportion hazards regression. The predictive performances of the various models were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. At baseline, circulating LCN2 was significantly associated with a cluster of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Baseline LCN2 levels in male subjects who developed CVD events during follow-up were significantly higher than those who did not develop CVD events (P=0.012). However, such difference was not significant in female subjects. LCN2 was a predictor of CVD in men, which remained statistically significant after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (hazard ratio, 1.038 [95% confidence interval, 1.017-1.060]). LCN2 remained significantly associated with incident CVD even after adjustment for renal function, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested combination of LCN2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein might improve the prediction of CVD events in male subjects. Conclusions-Elevated circulating LCN2 level is an independent predictor of CVD events in men in a population-based cohort and adds to the prognostic value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, which is currently the most extensively studied biomarker of CVD. Measurement of serum LCN2 might be useful for early detection and intervention of CVD. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2014;34:2457-2464.)

Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin, a Novel Mineralocorticoid Biotarget, Mediates Vascular Profibrotic Effects of Mineralocorticoids

“…[26][27][28][29] Moreover, elevated circulating NGAL concentrations predict adverse cardiovascular events in patients. 29,30 We and others, have previously showed that Lcn2/NGAL is a direct target gene of the aldosterone/MR signaling pathway in the cardiovascular system. 5,31,32 The aim of this study was to analyze whether Lcn2/NGAL is a key actor of mineralocorticoid action in the cardiovascular system.…”

The relationship between circulating neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and early alteration of metabolic parameters is associated with dietary saturated fat intake in non-diabetic Korean women

“…It also accumulates in the renal cortical tubules and blood vessels [32]. As mentioned above, recent studies have shown positive correlations between serum NGAL levels and the risk of obesity, MetS, diabetes, and CVD [13][14][15][16]. According to Wang et al, NGAL levels are positively correlated with adiposity indexes such as BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage [13].…”

“…Body weight and height were measured in the morning, with participants lightly clothed and without Recent studies have suggested that serum levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are associated with obesity, MetS, diabetes, and CVD [13][14][15][16]. NGAL, also known as lipocalin-2 or growth factor-stimulated superinducible protein 24, is a 25 kDa secretory glycoprotein [17] that was first identified as a protein secreted from human neutrophils [18].…”

Serum lipocalin-2 levels are positively associated with not only total body fat but also visceral fat area in Chinese men

“…[4,7,15] Another prospective study indicated that the serum LCN2 concentration is a more effective early biomarker for predicting CVD events than the traditional inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). [5] …”

“…Moreover, in men, but not in women, serum LCN2 levels were found to be associated with obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. [4,5] Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the associations of serum LCN2 levels with total body fat content and abdominal fat distribution in Chinese men, using bioelectrical impedance analysis to evaluate total body composition and abdominal MRI to measure visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA).…”