Relation Between Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, Homocysteine, and Fibrinogen Levels and Race/Ethnicity in Women Without Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

While certain markers of inflammation and hemostasis are elevated in persons at risk for future cardiovascular events, data assessing the relation between inflammatory and hemostatic markers of vascular risk and race/ethnicity are limited. Thus, in a cross sectional analysis of the Women's Health Study (WHS), baseline soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), homocysteine and fibrinogen levels were measured among 23,687 women without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Among 22,677 white, 242 Hispanic, 428 black and 340 Asian women, the distribution of median ICAM-1 levels was significantly lower among black (311.9 ng/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 220.1 -380.0) and Asian (312.7 ng/ml, IQR 267.3 -362.3) women than among white (343.1, IQR 301.9 -394.9) and Hispanic (351.9 ng/ml, IQR 305.9 -404.2) women (p value < 0.001). While homocysteine levels were marginally lower among Asian women (p=0.05), fibrinogen concentrations were higher among black women than their counterparts. After control for body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, family history of myocardial infarction, education, hormone use and lipids, ICAM-1 concentration remained significantly lower among black and Asian women. Meanwhile, homocysteine levels were lower in Asian women and fibrinogen levels remained higher in black women than their counterparts. In conclusion, this cross-sectional analysis revealed that baseline fibrinogen, ICAM-1 and homocysteine levels vary by self-reported race/ethnicity.

Candidate genetic variants in the fibrinogen, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 genes and plasma levels of fibrinogen, homocysteine, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 among various race/ethnic groups: Data from the Women's Genome Health Study

“…Also, research from our group and others indicate that black women have higher levels of baseline inflammation than women from other race/ethnic groups, a factor that might contribute to their observed higher vascular event rates (6–8). For example, baseline concentrations of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels are higher and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels are lower in black women compared to white, Hispanic and Asian women (7,8). However, little is known about the contribution of genetic factors to observed differences in inflammatory biomarker levels of CVD risk by race/ethnicity.…”

Inflammatory Obesity Phenotypes, Gender Effects, and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in African Americans

“…Fibrinogen is an alternative inflammatory biomarker that could be considered for phenotypic recognition in AA women. While fibrinogen also appears to have gender differences similar to hsCRP, 14 it appears to have a higher concentration among AA women, 22 and was significantly associated with cIMT among AA women. 23 IL-6 is another inflammatory marker associated with CAC and significant coronary stenosis in AA adults.…”

The Long- and Short-Term Impact of Elevated Body Mass Index on the Risk of New Atrial Fibrillation

“…Follow-up questionnaires asking participants about study outcomes and other information were sent every six months during the first year and every 12 months thereafter. Covariates of interest assessed at study entry and at varying time points during follow-up included diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity16 Plasma levels of hsCRP17, ICAM-118, and fibrinogen19 were measured at baseline in 24,621 of the women included in this analysis. Because distributions of ICAM-1, fibrinogen, and hsCRP are skewed, log-transformed levels were used in regression analyses.…”