戒烟时间对稳定型心绞痛患者血浆高敏C反应蛋白及丙二醛浓度的影响

分析稳定型心绞痛患者戒烟时间对血浆高敏C反应蛋白及丙二醛浓度的影响。将 10 1例稳定型心绞痛患者根据吸烟情况分为吸烟组、不吸烟组及戒烟组 ,其中戒烟组又根据戒烟时间长短分为近期戒烟组和长期戒烟组。分别用颗粒增强超敏透射比浊法和硫代巴比妥酸法测定血浆高敏C反应蛋白及丙二醛浓度。结果发现 ,吸烟组血浆高敏C反应蛋白及丙二醛浓度较不吸烟组明显升高 (分别为 4 .82± 0 .37mg L比 1.74± 0 .31mg L和 1.0 8± 0 .31mmol L比 0 .86± 0 .2 0mmol L ,P均 <0 .0 1) ;长期戒烟组血浆高敏C反应蛋白浓度与近期戒烟组相比明显降低 (1.91± 0 .2 6mg L比 4 .6 6± 0 .2 4mg L ,P <0 .0 1) ;但丙二醛浓度在两组间无显著性差异 (0 .93± 0 .17mmol L比 0 .95± 0 .14mmol L ,P >0 .0 5 )。结果提示 ,吸烟对氧化应激及炎症介质均有影响 ,但对两者的作用时间长短可能不一致。     

高血压病超重及肥胖患者血清脂联素水平和IL-6含量的变化

目的研究高血压病超重及肥胖患者血清脂素水平、白介素-6(IL-6)含量的变化及其临床意义。方法63名正常非肥胖对照(男31名,女32名)和57名体重指数>25kg/m2的单纯性超重肥胖个体和41名高血压病超重肥胖患者进入研究,测量血压(BP)、体重指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)、腰臀围比(WHR),用ELISA法检测所有研究对象血清脂联素浓度、血清IL-6含量。结果单纯性超重肥胖患者与高血压超重病肥胖患者血清脂联素水平显著低于正常对照者[单纯性超重肥胖男性(7.03±1.67)mg/L,高血压病超重肥胖男性(6.13±1.74)mg/Lvs正常对照男性(8.21±0.93)mg/L,t=3.868,t=5.388,均P<0.01;单纯性超重肥胖女性(7.90±1.35)mg/L,高血压病超重肥胖女性(6.97±1.16)mg/Lvs正常对照女性(9.22±0.68)mg/L,t=4.612,t=7.167,均P<0.01]。高血压病超重肥胖男性血清IL-6含量显著高于正常对照男性[高血压病超重肥胖男性(394.86±353.9)pg/mlvs正常对照男性(248.02±223.2)pg/ml,t=2.368,P<0.05;高血压病超重肥胖女性(303.2±283.6)pg/mlvs正常对照女性(230.5±214.2)pg/ml,t=0.9046,P>0.05]。在高血压病超重肥胖患者中,脂联素与体重指数、腰围、腰臀围比、收缩压之间呈显著负相关;IL-6与收缩压之间呈显著正相关。结论脂联素水平下降与超重肥胖、血压之间存在一定的相关性;IL-6含量升高可能与高血压病有关。     

高敏C反应蛋白与高血压病患者合并颈动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的探讨炎症标记物高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)与高血压病患者中颈动脉粥样硬化发生的关系。方法对入选的202例高血压病患者进行颈动脉超声检查测量颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)、观察有无斑块形成,并进行血清hs-CRP定量检测。根据患者颈动脉粥样硬化程度、是否合并糖尿病及吸烟情况分组进行血清hs-CRP水平比较。结果(1)合并颈动脉粥样硬化的高血压病患者血清hs-CRP显著高于无颈动脉粥样硬化患者[(4.96±5.26)mg/Lvs(3.16±3.54)mg/L,P=0.006]。(2)颈动脉斑块组患者平均血清hs-CRP显著高于颈动脉正常组患者[(5.35±4.82)mg/Lvs(3.16±3.54)mg/L,P=0.002]。(3)根据吸烟情况进行分层后,1年内有吸烟行为者中颈动脉斑块硬化组患者血清hs-CRP平均值明显高于颈动脉正常组[(5.30±5.02)mg/Lvs(3.07±1.70)mg/L,P=0.024]。(4)无糖尿病的高血压病患者中,颈动脉粥样硬化组患者血清hs-CRP均值高于颈动脉正常组[(5.03±5.35)mg/Lvs(3.25±3.61)mg/L,P=0.032]。结论合并颈动脉粥样硬化尤其有颈动脉斑块的高血压病患者血清hs-CRP显著高于无颈动脉粥样硬化患者。     

高敏C反应蛋白和肾动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的相关性研究

目的:探讨高敏C反应蛋白与肾动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的相关性。方法:90例怀疑有肾动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的高血压患者在肾动脉造影前测血清高敏C反应蛋白,根据造影结果对肾动脉进行分组,其中任一侧狭窄≥50％为狭窄组(n=64),双侧狭窄均<50％为对照组(n=26)。分析高敏C反应蛋白与肾动脉狭窄及其程度、范围的关系。结果:肾动脉狭窄组高敏C反应蛋白(1．3±0．4)mg/L明显高于对照组(0．4±0．2)mg／L(P<0．001),随着肾动脉狭窄程度的增加,高敏C反应蛋白呈明显增加的趋势(P<0．05～0．001)。高敏C反应蛋白、吸烟、糖尿病与肾动脉狭窄相关(P<0．05)。结沦:高敏C反应蛋白和肾动脉狭窄明显相关,说明肾动脉狭窄可能是全身血管性炎症的一部分。     

超敏C-反应蛋白和C-反应蛋白的测定对SARS的诊断价值

目的　研究血清超敏C -反应蛋白 (hs -CRP )和C -反应蛋白 (CRP)对严重急性呼吸综合征 (SARS)的诊断价值。方法　SARS病人 2 0例、细菌性肺炎病人 2 0例、健康对照 2 0例 ,血清hs -CRP和CRP采用胶乳免疫比浊法全自动定量测定。结果　hs -CRP和CRP测定结果分别为 :健康对照组 (0 6 9± 0 6 2 )mg/L和 (4 4± 0 9)mg/L、细菌性肺炎组 (10 79± 1 36 )mg/L和 (98 0± 2 8 9)mg/L、SARS组 (3 16± 3 72 )mg/L和 (11 0± 9 6 )mg/L。三组间差异均有显著意义 (P <0 0 1)。结论　SARS病人和细菌性肺炎病人早期血清hs -CRP和CRP均升高 ,但细菌性肺炎病人升高更加显著 ,比SARS组分别增加 2 4倍和 7 9倍 ,对SARS与细菌性性肺炎的鉴别诊断有重要意义     

他汀类药物对冠状动脉造影围手术期造影剂肾病的预防研究

目的分析经皮冠状动脉造影患者接受他汀类药物治疗后,围手术期前后早期肾损伤标记物水平的变化,探讨他汀类药物在预防造影剂肾病的作用。方法选择行冠状动脉造影的患者1 26例,随机分为对照组61例和他汀类药物治疗组(他汀组)65例,检测2组患者围手术期前后血肌酐、早期肾损伤标记物血清胱抑素C及高敏C反应蛋白水平的变化,并进行比较。结果他汀组和对照组术后血清高敏C反应蛋白较术前明显升高[(4.0±0.5)mg/L vs(2.2±0.6)mg/L,(5.2±0.9)mg/L vs(2.1±0.4)mg/L,P<0.01]。他汀组术后血清胱抑素C水平较对照组明显降低[(1.3±0.2)mg/Lvs(1.7±0.4)mg/L,P<0.01]。结论造影剂肾病可能与造影剂介导的炎性反应相关,他汀类药物可能通过拮抗炎性反应及氧化应激机制等预防该病的发生。     

高血压病患者血清可溶性E选择素水平与肥胖及性别的关系

目的探讨高血压病患者血清可溶性E-选择素(sE-Selectin)浓度与肥胖、性别、血糖、胰岛素等的关系.方法酶联免疫吸附法测定179例原发性高血压患者(正常体重组43例,超重组104例,肥胖组32例;男67例,女112例)和29例正常体重和血压者(对照组,男11例,女18例)的空腹血清sE-se-lectin浓度,口服葡萄糖耐量试验和胰岛素释放试验,测定血浆葡萄糖浓度和血清胰岛素浓度,计算葡萄糖曲线下面积(AUCG)和胰岛素曲线下面积(AUCIN),测定收缩压、舒张压和体重指数(BMI).分析血清sE-slectin浓度与其它各项参数的相关性.结果血清sE-slectin浓度对照组(35.2±15.0)μg/L和正常组(37.8±12.9)μg/L无显著差异(P＞0.05),肥胖组(56.4±21.2)μg/L高于超重组(43.5±16.6)μg/L(P＜0.001)、正常组(P＜0.001)和对照组(P＜0.001),高血压患者男性组(50.0±17.8)μg/L高于女性组(41.2±16.9)μg/L(P＜0.01).高血压患者血清sE-slectin浓度男性组与BMI相关,女性组与BMI、空腹胰岛素、AUCIN相关.结论肥胖和男性高血压病患者有较高的血清sE-Slectin浓度,肥胖程度与血清sE-slectin浓度直接正相关,提示肥胖和男性高血压病患者可能有较高的血管内皮细胞活化程度.     

肥胖型高血压患者血清游离脂肪酸浓度的变化

目的　探讨肥胖型高血压患者血清游离脂肪酸 (freefattyacid,FFA)浓度变化及游离脂肪酸与胰岛素抗性及代谢性高血压的关系。方法　筛选 34例高血压肥胖患者为观察对象 ,并以 50例血压正常肥胖个体及 30例血压正常非肥胖个体作为对照。检测血清FFA、胰岛素、血糖浓度和腰围、体重指数 (BMI)等指标 ,分析肥胖个体血清FFA浓度与其血压水平、胰岛素水平及其腰围大小的相关关系。结果　①高血压肥胖组空腹血清FFA浓度 (567 2±1 80 1 ) μmol/L显著高于血压正常肥胖组 (471 1± 2 33 5) μmol/L及血压正常非肥胖组 (455 5± 1 90 4) μmol/L ,P值均 <0 0 5 ;肥胖个体 ,不论血压高低与否 ,其空腹血清胰岛素水平均显著高于血压正常非肥胖组 (P <0 0 5)。②肥胖个体空腹血清FFA水平与其舒张压值呈显著正相关 (r =0 1 67,P <0 0 5 )。③空腹血FFA浓度与空腹及口服葡萄糖两小时血清胰岛素浓度呈显著正相关。④腰围大小与空腹血清FFA水平存在正向依存关系。结论　肥胖患者当伴有高血压时血清游离脂肪酸浓度明显升高 ,肥胖个体的血清游离脂肪酸浓度与其舒张压、血清胰岛素含量及腰围大小呈显著正相关     

阿托伐他汀对不稳定型心绞痛患者高敏C反应蛋白的影响

目的研究不同剂量的阿托伐他汀对不稳定型心绞痛患者血清高敏C反应蛋白水平的影响。方法选取我院不稳定型心绞痛患者51例,随机分为小剂量组28例和大剂量组23例,分别给予阿托伐他汀10mg或40mg,每日1次。共用药30日,治疗前后分别测定患者血脂水平和血清高敏C反应蛋白水平。结果阿托伐他汀用药30日后,两组血脂水平和血清高敏C反应蛋白水平均明显降低,低剂量组从(17±6)μg/L降至(8.3±2.7)μg/L;高剂量组从(18±7)μg/L降至(8±3)μg/L。两组下降程度比较,差异有统计学意义。结论早期应用阿托伐他汀治疗不稳定型心绞痛,可减少斑块基质成分的降解和炎症反应,具有稳定斑块作用,使用大剂量阿托伐他汀的获益更多。     

老年急性心肌梗死患者血清基质金属蛋白酶9和C反应蛋白的变化

目的探讨老年急性心肌梗死患者血清基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)和C反应蛋白(CRP)浓度的变化。方法选择合并糖尿病的老年急性心肌梗死患者23例(A组);无糖尿病的老年急性心肌梗死患者23例(B组);无冠心病及糖尿病的老年健康体检者23例(对照组),抽血检测血清MMP-9和CRP的浓度,比较3组间的差异。结果各组平均血清MMP-9浓度与CRP浓度:A组为(397.25±68.91)μg/L、(8.52±2.45)mg/L,B组为(373.28±111.84)μg/L、(7.27±2.24)mg/L,对照组为(290.76±75.49)μg/L、(3.21±1.11)mg/L,各组间比较差异均有显著性意义,血清MMP-9浓度与CRP浓度呈正相关。结论在老年急性心肌梗死患者的发病中,血清MMP-9与CRP同样是重要的炎性标记物。     

Increased C-reactive protein concentrations in never-treated hypertension: the role of systolic and pulse pressures

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation, is increased in patients with newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertension and whether blood pressure and its pulsatile component, pulse pressure, are correlated with plasma CRP concentration independently of a consistent number of cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in a hospital outpatient hypertension clinic. METHODS: A total of 135 newly diagnosed, never-treated patients with hypertension and 40 healthy matched non-hypertensive controls underwent office and 24-h blood pressure measurement and blood sampling for determination of plasma CRP and serum lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Plasma CRP concentration was greater in hypertensive individuals (1.85 mg/l, interquartile range 0.74-3.64) than in control individuals (1.01 mg/l, interquartile range 0.67-1.88; P = 0.02). In the entire population, CRP had a significant direct association with office systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, but not with diastolic blood pressure. Among hypertensive patients, plasma CRP was related to 24-h systolic blood pressure (r = 0.28, P < 0.01) and pulse pressure (r = 0.32, P < 0.01), but not to diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.12, P > 0.2). CRP was also directly associated with body mass index (r = 0.25, P < 0.01), serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.21, P = 0.03) and serum triglycerides (r = 0.21, P = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, were significant predictors of plasma CRP concentration when a consistent number of cardiovascular risk factors was controlled for simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, are predictors of plasma C-reactive protein concentrations in patients with newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertension, irrespective of the potential proinflammatory action of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.     

High sensitivity C-reactive protein as an independent risk factor for essential hypertension

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP), one of the hepatic acute phase reactants, has been associated with decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation, a potential risk factor for hypertension. However, the relationship between CRP and hypertension has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study is to assess whether circulating levels of CRP are independently related to essential hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated the relationship between high sensitivity CRP with blood pressure (BP) and several cardiovascular risk factors in a cross-sectional survey of 8347 apparently healthy Korean persons. The CRP was measured by nephelometry. RESULTS: The subjects consisted of 4813 men and 3534 women, aged >/=20 years. Mean (SD) age and CRP level of the population were 47.1 (11.5) years and 1.12 (1.72) mg/L. Overall hypertension prevalence was 34%. There was a significant positive association between BP and the CRP level (P <.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, high-density lipoprotein, the prevalence of hypertension by CRP was 1.267 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.079-1.487, P =.004), 1.253 (95% CI 1.062-1.477, P =.007), and 1.451 (95% CI 1.231-1.711, P <.001) times higher in subjects in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of CRP, as compared to subjects in the first quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the CRP level may be an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension in Korean persons. However, because of the cross-sectional nature of our study, this finding should be confirmed in prospective cohort studies, aimed at elucidating the role of CRP in the prediction, diagnosis, and management of hypertension.     

老年高血压病患者血清肿瘤坏死因子-α、白介素-6和C-反应蛋白水平的变化研究

目的 探讨在老年高血压病患者中,血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)和白细胞介素-6( IL-6)水平变化及意义.方法 24例正常血压老年人和28例老年高血压病患者,常规测量血压,抽取空腹静脉血检测其空腹血糖、血脂、血清胰岛素、IL-6、CRP和TNF-α水平.结果 与正常老年人群相比,在老年高血压者中,血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油、IL-6[(15.56±5.36)vs(26.86±2.49)μg/ml,P＜0.05]、CRP[(1.58±1.14)vs(2.29±1.42)mg/ml,P＜0.05]和TNF-α[(34.58±14.54)vs(56.82±32.14)ng/ml,P＜0.05]水平均高于正常血压人群.在老年高血压病患者中,血清CRP和TNF-α水平均与收缩压呈正相关,与舒张压无相关性.结论 老年高血压病患者中血清IL-6、CRP和TNF-α水平均增高并与收缩压呈正相关,提示高血压病与炎症密切相关.     

Leptin, triglycerides, and interleukin 6 are independently associated with C-reactive protein in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients

The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors contributing to the concentration of serum C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetic patients. One hundred and 48 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients were studied. In conjunction with C-reactive protein (CRP), BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting concentrations of plasma glucose, and serum lipids (triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and leptin were measured. Insulin resistance was also estimated by the insulin resistance index of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). With univariate analysis, serum CRP was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.281, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.176, P=0.048), triglycerides (r=0.293, P<0.001), HOMA-IR (r=0.294, P<0.001), IL-6 (r=0.323, P<0.001), and leptin (r=0.330, P<0.001), and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r=-0.181, P=0.028). Multiple regression analyses showed that serum CRP was independently predicted by the level of IL-6 (P<0.001, F=4.04), leptin (P<0.001, F=7.09), and triglycerides (P<0.001, F=15.13), which explained 17.6% of the variability of serum CRP concentration in these patients. From these results, it can be concluded that along with IL-6 and triglycerides, leptin is another important independent factor that is associated with CRP in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.     

Serum salusin-alpha levels are decreased and correlated negatively with carotid atherosclerosis in essential hypertensive patients.

Salusin-alpha is a new bioactive peptide with mild hypotensive and bradycardic effects. Our recent study showed that salusin-alpha suppresses foam cell formation in human monocyte-derived macrophages by down-regulating acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-1, contributing to its anti-atherosclerotic effect. To clarify the clinical implications of salusin-alpha in hypertension and its complications, we examined the relationship between serum salusin-alpha levels and carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients. The intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score in the carotid artery, blood pressure, serum levels of salusin-alpha, and atherosclerotic parameters were determined in 70 patients with essential hypertension and in 20 normotensive controls. There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose level, or serum levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, high- or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, small dense LDL, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), or insulin between the two groups. Serum salusin-alpha levels were significantly lower in hypertensive patients than in normotensive controls. The plasma urotensin-II level, maximal IMT, plaque score, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly greater in hypertensive patients than in normotensive controls. In all subjects, maximal IMT was significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, urotensin-II, salusin-alpha, and HOMA-IR. Forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that salusin-alpha levels had a significantly independent and negative association with maximal IMT. Serum salusin-alpha levels were significantly lower in accordance with the severity of plaque score. Our results suggest that the decrease in serum salusin-alpha, an anti-atherogenic peptide, may be associated with carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.     

C-reactive protein as a predictor of hypertension in the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study (CRISPS) cohort

Inflammation contributes to the development of hypertension. Whether C-reactive protein (CRP) has a causal role in hypertension remains unknown. We studied the relationship between circulating CRP levels and hypertension. The role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene as determinants of its plasma levels and the propensity to develop hypertension was investigated. Plasma CRP and genotypes of nine SNPs were determined in 1925 unrelated subjects from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study-2 (CRISPS-2) in 2000-2004. Among 1378 subjects normotensive in CRISPS-2, 1115 subjects had been followed up in CRISPS-3 after a median interval of 5.3 years, 236 of whom had developed hypertension. Plasma CRP was independently associated with the development of hypertension in CRISPS-3 (odds ratio per quartile=1.26, P=0.010). Six SNPs were associated with plasma CRP (all P<0.001). However, none of the SNPs was significantly associated with blood pressure, prevalent or incident hypertension, or change in blood pressure. In conclusion, plasma CRP predicts the development of hypertension. Genetic variants in the CRP gene are significantly associated with plasma CRP but not with hypertension. The future risk of hypertension is therefore more related to plasma CRP than SNPs in the CRP gene in this population.     

C-reactive protein and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are stronger predictors of oxidant stress than blood pressure in established hypertension

BACKGROUND: Oxidant stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to test oxidative stress, as 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha), and its relationship with inflammation markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), and endothelial activation assayed as soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in essential hypertension. METHODS: In 216 essential hypertensive patients and 55 healthy control individuals, plasma levels of high-sensitivity CRP and TNFalpha, 8-iso-PGF2alpha, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured in basal conditions. Moreover, basal and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measurements were obtained. RESULTS: Essential hypertensive patients showed higher levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha (P < 0.0001), high-sensitivity CRP, TNFalpha, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P < 0.001, respectively) than control individuals. In control individuals, 8-iso-PGF2alpha correlated only with high-sensitivity CRP (P < 0.001). In essential hypertensive patients, 8-iso-PGF2alpha correlated with high-sensitivity CRP (P < 0.000001), TNFalpha (P < 0.0001), ICAM-1 (P < 0.000001), VCAM-1 (P < 0.0001) and blood pressure. The multiple regression analysis considering 8-iso-PGF2alpha as the dependent variable showed that in essential hypertensive patients the independent predictors of 8-iso-PGF2alpha were ICAM-1, high-sensitivity CRP (P < 0.00001, respectively), and TNFalpha (P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that oxidant stress is increased in essential hypertension, and relates to inflammation and endothelial activation. Factors other than blood pressure are stronger predictors of oxidant stress.     

老年原发性高血压患者动态脉压与高敏C-反应蛋白相关性

目的探讨老年原发性高血压(EH)患者脉压(PP)与血清高敏C-反应蛋白(hsCRP)浓度的相关性。方法435例EH老年患者体检,检测血清hsCRP及其他生化指标,比较不同PP、收缩压水平组间血清hsCRP浓度。结果EH患者PP和hsCRP之间存在明显相关性,在对高血压的其它危险因素进行调整后,这种相关性仍然存在。结论老年EH患者PP升高和hsCRP升高密切相关。炎症反应可能参与了EH的发生与发展。     

Association between serum C-reactive protein levels and pulse wave velocity: a population-based cross-sectional study in a general population

Arterial stiffness as determined by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been shown to predict cardiovascular events in high-risk subjects such as those with hypertension or end-stage renal disease. Although it is suspected that low-grade inflammation as represented by increased C-reactive protein (CRP) plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis, it is not yet known whether serum CRP levels are associated with PWV. To examine the relationship between brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) and serum CRP levels, several cardiovascular risk factors including these two markers (baPWV and CRP) were measured in 870 participants (mean age 59 years) randomly selected from a general population. Age, male gender, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, diabetes, and serum CRP levels increased with the quartiles divided by baPWV (all, p<0.01). By multiple regression analysis, age (p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), heart rate (p<0.001), body mass index (p<0.001), and CRP (p<0.01) were significant and independent predictors for baPWV. In conclusion, this cross sectional study has demonstrated in the general population that the arterial stiffness marker baPWV was independently correlated with serum CRP levels after adjustment for other established cardiovascular risks factors. This result suggests that baPWV may be a surrogate marker for atherosclerotic vascular damages including an inflammatory component.     

Relationship between serum magnesium levels and C-reactive protein concentration, in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive obese subjects

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between serum magnesium levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive obese subjects. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 371 subjects, 101 men and 270 women. Of them 138 lean (37.2%), 133 (35.9%) overweight, and 100 (26.9%) were obese, matched by age. MEASUREMENTS: Fasting and 2 h serum glucose following a 75 g oral glucose load. Fasting serum total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin; and magnesium levels; urinary protein excretion; body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and blood pressure. RESULTS: The presence of CRP was documented in four (2.9%) lean, 13 (9.8%) overweight, and 20 (20.0%) obese subjects, and decreased magnesium levels (equal or less than 1.8 mg/dl), in 2 (1.45%) lean, 7 (5.2%) overweight, and 19 (19%) obese subjects. The lowest serum magnesium levels and the highest CRP concentrations were documented in the obese subjects. Twenty-three (82.1%) of the subjects with low serum magnesium (five overweight and 18 obese) showed CRP concentration equal or more than 10 mg/l. There was a graded significant decrease between CRP concentration and serum magnesium levels (r = -0.39, P = 0.002). The odds ratio (CI95%) between magnesium and CRP adjusted by age, sex, BMI and glucose tolerance status for the subjects within the low quartile of magnesium distribution was 2.11 (1.23-3.84). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that low serum magnesium levels are independently related to elevated CRP concentration, in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive obese subjects.