Structural and biochemical characteristics of arterial stiffness in patients with atherosclerosis and in healthy subjects

Abstract

Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of vascular morbidity and mortality in patients with atherosclerosis. Angiographic score (ASc) reflects severity of atherosclerosis in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Osteopontin (OPN) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between arterial stiffness, ASc, serum OPN and oxLDL in patients with symptomatic PAD, and in clinically healthy subjects. We studied 79 men with symptomatic PAD (mean age 64 ± 7 years) and 84 healthy men (mean age 63 ± 8 years). Calculation of the ASc was based on severity and location of atherosclerotic lesions in the arteries of the lower extremities. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) was evaluated by applanation tonometry using the Sphygmocor device. Serum OPN and oxLDL levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The aPWV (10 ± 2.4 VS. 8.4 ± 1.7 (m s À1 ); Po0.001), ) VS. 54.8 (47.7-67.9) (ng ml À1 ); Po0.001) and oxLDL (67 (52.5-93.5) VS. 47.5 (37-65.5); Po0.001) were different for the patients and for the controls. In multiple regression models, aPWV was independently determined by ASc, log-OPN, log-oxLDL and estimated glomerular filtration rate in the patients (R 2 ¼ 0.44; Po0.001) and by log-OPN, log-oxLDL, age and heart rate in the controls (R 2 ¼ 0.38; Po0.001). The independent relationship of a PWV with serum levels of OPN and oxLDL in the patients with PAD and in the controls indicates that OPN and oxLDL might influence arterial stiffening in patients with atherosclerosis and in clinically healthy subjects.

ABCA1-dependent serum cholesterol efflux capacity inversely correlates with pulse wave velocity in healthy subjects

“…A very recent work showed that arterial stiffness, evaluated as PWV, correlates with circulating oxidized LDL in healthy subjects, pointing to the importance of lipid metabolism on this parameter ( 40 ). Our fi ndings support the emerging concept that HDL-mediated atheroprotection is dependent on its function rather than quantity and, most importantly, is relevant in clinically healthy subjects.…”

LPS induces pro-inflammatory response in mastitis mice and mammary epithelial cells: Possible involvement of NF-κB signaling and OPN

“…Knockdown of OPN reduces the inflammatory response in a murine model [24]. Clinically, OPN level is associated with inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis [25], atherosclerosis [8], Crohn's disease [26], aortic abdominal aneurysms [27]. Overall, we propose that OPN contributes to increased mastitis and represents a novel target to antagonize these pathologies.…”

“…As a pleiotropic T-helper 1 cytokine, OPN contributes to cell adhesion, chemotaxis, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of tumor cells. Studies in vitro, animal testing and clinical trials show that OPN plays an important role in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases [7,8]. Some data suggests that mastitis is an inflammation disease [9].…”

Aortic stiffness is associated with the central retinal arteriolar equivalent and retinal vascular fractal dimension in a population along the southeastern coast of China

“…Changes in the structure and the blood flow velocity of the arteriole or the microvascular structures carrying nutrients may affect the aortic function. [36][37][38][39] Atherosclerosis of the large-and medium-sized arteries increases the blood flow to the arteriole with high pulsatility index, resulting in vascular damage. 40 In addition, the interaction promotes the progression of atherosclerosis.…”