The relationship of plasma catestatin concentrations with metabolic and vascular parameters in untreated hypertensive patients: Influence on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Abstract

Objective:Catestatin has several cardiovascular actions, in addition to diminished sympatho-adrenal flow. Decreased plasma catestatin levels may reflect a predisposition for the development of hypertension and metabolic disorders. We planned to investigate the possible roles of catestatin in untreated hypertensive patients. As a secondary objective, we compared catestatin concentrations of healthy subjects with those of hypertensive patients in order to understand whether catestatin is increased reactively or diminished at onset.Methods:Our study was cross-sectional and observational. The patient group, comprising 109 consecutive untreated hypertensive patients without additional systemic or coronary heart disease, underwent evaluations of plasma catestatin, waist circumference, lipid parameters, left ventricular mass, carotid intima-media thickness, and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery. Additionally, we measured catestatin concentrations of 38 apparently healthy subjects without any disease using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.Results:We documented increased catestatin concentrations in previously untreated hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls (2.27±0.83 vs. 1.92±0.49 ng/mL, p=0.004). However, this association became insignificant after adjustments for age, gender, height, and weight. Within the patient group, catestatin levels were significantly higher in females. Among all study parameters, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) correlated positively to plasma catestatin, whereas triglycerides, hemoglobin, and left ventricular mass correlated negatively to plasma catestatin. We could not detect an association between vascular parameters and catestatin. Catestatin levels were significantly elevated with increasing HDL-C (1.91±0.37, 2.26±0.79, and 3.1±1.23 ng/mL in patients with HDL-C <40, 40-60, and >60 mg/dL, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed age (beta: 0.201, p=0.041) and HDL-C (beta: 0.390, p<0.001) as independent correlates of plasma catestatin concentration. Additionally, male gender (beta:-0.330, p=0.001) and plasma catestatin (beta: 0.299, p=0.002) were significantly associated with HDL-C concentrations.Conclusion:We documented that plasma catestatin is an independent predictor of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition to antihypertensive effects, catestatin appears to be related to improved lipid and metabolic profiles. Coexistence of low catestatin levels with low HDL-C may provide a probable mechanism for the predictive value of low HDL-C for increased hypertension and cardiovascular events.

Plasma Catestatin in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

“…In the present study, BMI, hypertension, and CAD type were independently related to the plasma catestatin level in multivariate linear regression. The results are in accordance with a separate recent report [21]. However, as previous studies have reported, plasma catestatin levels may change over time following an acute MI; therefore, the timing of blood sample collection may influence the measured levels of catestatin.…”

Catestatin Inhibits Obesity-Induced Macrophage Infiltration and Inflammation in the Liver and Suppresses Hepatic Glucose Production, Leading to Improved Insulin Sensitivity

“…In humans, whose plasma CST levels vary from 0.33 nmol/L to 1.5 nmol/L, the levels of CST are not only diminished in the case of essential hypertension but are also diminished in normotensive individuals with a positive family history for hypertension (14). Furthermore, low conversion of CgA to CST is associated with increased mortality in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (14), and low plasma CST levels also correlate with low plasma levels of cholesterol-rich HDL particles (15). In the current study, we investigated the role of CST on hepatic MF recruitment and function as well as on regulation of obesity-induced hepatic inflammation and IR.…”

Analysis and validation of traits associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism Gly364Ser in catestatin using humanized chromogranin A mouse models

“…Catestatin promotes lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation however the relative potencies of the variant and wild-type forms have not been studied [35]. [36] Sahu et al speculated that catestatin involvement in the process of gluconeogenesis and lipolysis might vary in potencies for both forms of catestatin [4]. That and the attenuated catecholamine levels in CHGASer364 carriers would cause their elevated triglyceride levels.…”

“…That and the attenuated catecholamine levels in CHGASer364 carriers would cause their elevated triglyceride levels. Recently a positive correlation between plasma catestatin and HDL levels has been reported [36]. …”