Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• van Bussel, Bas C.T
• Henry, Ronald M.A
• Schalkwijk, Casper G
• Dekker, Jacqueline M
• Nijpels, Giel
• Stehouwer, Coen D.A

Titel

Low-grade inflammation, but not endothelial dysfunction, is associated with greater carotid stiffness in the elderly: the Hoorn Study

Ist Teil von

• Journal of hypertension, 2012-04, Vol.30 (4), p.744-752

Ort / Verlag

England: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2012

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• OBJECTIVE:Biomarkers of low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffening may be a mechanism through which low-grade inflammation and (or) endothelial dysfunction lead to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we investigated whether low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were associated with greater carotid stiffness in a population-based cohort of elderly individuals. METHODS:We determined biomarkers of low-grade inflammation (C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, tumour necrosis factor α and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1), and of endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, soluble endothelial selectin, soluble thrombomodulin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and flow-mediated dilation), and combined these into mean z-scores (n = 572; women = 286; age 67.5 ± 6.6 years). Additionally, we determined by ultrasonography carotid diameter, distension, pulse pressure and intima–media thickness. Carotid stiffness indices were determined by calculation of the distensibility and compliance coefficient, Youngʼs elastic modulus and β stiffness index. RESULTS:The study population was characterized by a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (46%), hypertension (66%) and the use of lipid-lowering (16%) and antihypertensive (34%) medication. After adjustment for the above in addition to sex, age, glucose tolerance status and current smoking, the low-grade inflammation z-score was positively associated with Youngʼs elastic modulus [β (95% confidence interval) 0.080 (0.021–0.139), P = 0.008]. This association was primarily driven through greater diameter. After adjustment for the variables above, the endothelial dysfunction z-score was not associated with carotid stiffness. CONCLUSION:These data suggest that low-grade inflammation, in the elderly, plays an important role in carotid artery remodelling and stiffening.