Prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. Ultrasound high-resolution B-mode imaging on carotid arteries.

OBJECTIVE--To quantitatively assess atherosclerosis of the carotid artery in subjects with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Ultrasound high resolution B-mode imaging of carotid arteries was conducted on 71 nondiabetic subjects without hyperlipidemia or hypertension and 295 diabetic patients to determine IMT of the arterial wall. RESULTS--IMT was linearly related with age in nondiabetic (IMT = [0.0087 x age] + 0.3318) and diabetic subjects (IMT = [0.0155 x age] + 0.32450). The regression coefficient for age was significantly greater in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects. IMT (mean +/- SD) of diabetic subjects aged 20-29 was significantly greater than that of nondiabetic subjects aged 20-29 (0.73 +/- 0.27 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.07 mm, P less than 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis of 275 NIDDM patients indicated smoking, hyperlipidemia, duration of diabetes, hypertension, and age were factors determining thickness of the carotid arterial wall. CONCLUSIONS--Diabetes, along with age, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and hypertension, aggravates carotid atherosclerosis.     

Lack of association of the Glu298Asp polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase with manifest coronary artery disease,carotid atherosclerosis and forearm vascular reactivity in two Austrian populations

OBJECTIVE: Conflicting data exists about the possible contribution of the homozygous Asp/Asp genotype of the Glu298Asp polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to human atherosclerotic vascular disease. We investigated the polymorphism in two independent study populations: a case-control study including patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease (CAD) on the one hand and a cross-sectional epidemiological study on the other hand. METHODS: The Glu298Asp polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP as established. In the case-control study (240 patients and 248 controls) a possible association between the polymorphism and CAD, and age of onset of CAD and myocardial infarction was investigated. In the cross-sectional epidemiological study (932 subjects) intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery as well as morphological plaque burden and forearm vascular reactivity (peak postischemic reactive hyperaemia, determined by venous occlusion plethysmography) were measured. RESULTS: In the case-control study genotype distribution (Glu/Glu; Glu/Asp; Asp/Asp) was not different between the CAD patients (43/46/11%) and the controls (49/41/10%, P = NS). No association of the polymorphism with age of onset of CAD or myocardial infarction was found. In the epidemiological study no influence of the genetic variant on IMT was observed after correction for classical determinants of IMT (average IMT: Asp/ Asp: 0.077 +/- 0.011 mm; Glu/Glu and Glu/Asp: 0.080 +/- 0.012 mm, P = NS). Forearm vascular reactivity was also not different between homozygous Asp/Asp subjects and Glu/Glu and Glu/Asp subjects (peak-reactive hyperaemia 20.1 +/- 7.3 mL min-1 100 mL-1 vs. 20.0 +/- 6.5 mL min-1 100 mL-1, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is no association of the Glu298Asp polymorphism with coronary or carotid atherosclerosis or forearm vascular reactivity in these populations recruited in a country with a rather high risk for atherosclerosis. We suggest additional investigations to be performed in populations at different risk for coronary events to further elucidate the possible contribution of this polymorphism to vascular disease.     

Association of NAD(P)H oxidase p22 phox gene variation with advanced carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the C242T polymorphism of the p22 phox gene, an essential component of NAD(P)H oxidase in the vasculature, with intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery and risk factors for atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: C242T polymorphism of the p22 phox gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism in 200 Japanese type 2 diabetic subjects and 215 nondiabetic subjects. We examined the association with this mutation and carotid atherosclerosis as well as the patients' clinical characteristics and the level of 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as an index of oxidative DNA damage. RESULTS: The diabetic subjects with the TC+TT genotypes displayed a significantly lower average IMT (1.13 +/- 0.31 vs. 1.31 +/- 0.34 mm; P = 0.0099) and a not significantly lower serum 8-OHdG level than those with the CC genotype, despite no difference in the risk factors. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the risk factors for increased IMT in the diabetic subjects were systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0042) and p22 phox CC genotype (P = 0.0151). In nondiabetic subjects, the average IMT of the TC+TT group was not different from that of the CC group (0.85 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.30 mm, P = 0.417). Fasting plasma insulin concentration (41.4 +/- 15.6 vs. 64.2 +/- 59.4 pmol/l, P = 0.0098) and insulin resistance index of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) (1.58 +/- 0.66 vs. 2.60 +/- 2.56, P = 0.0066) were significantly lower in the TC+TT group than in the CC group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the C242T mutation in the p22 phox gene is associated with progression of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in the subjects with type 2 diabetes and is also associated with insulin resistance in nondiabetic subjects.     

Increased intimal-medial thickness in newly detected type 2 diabetes: risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine carotid intimal-medial thickness (IMT) and its determinants in newly detected type 2 diabetic subjects, classified according to the new criteria of the American Diabetes Association, in comparison with age- and sex-matched control subjects with normal glucose tolerance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was case-controlled, with matched pairs for 71 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic individuals. Subjects aged 40-70 years were recruited from a risk population for diabetes seen in the Risk Factors in IGT for Atherosclerosis and Diabetes (RIAD) Study. Standard risk factors, 75-g oral glucose tolerance test with real insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide, and ultrasound measurement of the IMT of the common carotid artery were performed. RESULTS: The diabetic subjects, both men and women, displayed carotid intimal-medial thickening, even in the subgroup with fasting plasma glucose between 7.0 and 7.8 mmol/l. HbA1c was significantly increased in the diabetic patients (6.33 vs. 5.48%). Insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide were also significantly higher. Among the coronary risk factors, triglycerides and plasminogen activator inhibitor were significantly increased. After age and sex adjustment. IMT in the diabetic group was correlated to triglycerides and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio. In the total group, IMT was significantly correlated to blood pressure, 2-h glucose in oral glucose tolerance testing, triglycerides, albuminuria, and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, and inversely correlated to HDL cholesterol. No independent determinant of IMT was found in the diabetic group by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Newly detected type 2 diabetic patients exhibit a higher degree of early atherosclerosis than normal glucose-tolerant subjects matched for age and sex. Our data suggest that hyperglycemia, together with a clustering of risk factors, and in particular dyslipidemia, may cause intimal-medial thickening in the early phases of diabetes.     

Prognostic value of carotid intima-media thickness in detection of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with calcified aortic valve stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic stenosis (AS) coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD) in at least 30% of patients. Patients with concomitant CAD may benefit from simultaneous coronary bypass grafting. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with AS in assessing concomitant CAD. METHODS: Group I consisted of 33 patients (mean age +/- SD, 61.0 +/- 8.2 years; 18 men and 15 women) with AS but without CAD on angiograms. Group II consisted of 34 patients (64.4 +/- 8.0 years; 25 men and 9 women) with AS and CAD confirmed angiographically. A control group included 36 patients (61.2 +/- 4.9 years; 18 men and 18 women) with normal coronary arteries and no AS. Maximal IMT was assessed in all patients at the common carotid artery, bulb, and internal carotid artery and expressed as a mean value. RESULTS: There were no differences among the respective groups with regard to age, sex, frequency of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking habit, although patients with CAD were more often hyperlipemic (P = .038). The IMT of the common carotid artery, bulb, and internal carotid artery was significantly higher in patients with AS and CAD compared with both the control group and patients with AS only. The multivariable regression model revealed that CAD (P < .001), AS (P = .006), male sex (P = .034), age (P < .001), and diabetes mellitus (P = .047) were independent risk factors for IMT thickening. A mean IMT value of greater than 1.2 mm was predictive (sensitivity, 73.5%; specificity, 72.7%) of concomitant CAD in patients with AS. CONCLUSIONS: Intima-media thickness increases in patients with AS. The greatest IMT values are observed in patients with both AS and CAD. Patients with AS might be suspected of having CAD when the IMT value exceeds 1.2 mm.     

Elevated C-reactive protein associates with early-stage carotid atherosclerosis in young subjects with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether low-grade inflammation contributes to early-stage advanced carotid atherosclerosis in young subjects with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The mean and maximum (max) intima-media thicknesses (IMT) of the carotid artery were assessed using ultrasound B-mode imaging in 55 patients with type 1 diabetes (22 men and 33 women, aged 22.1 +/- 3.6 years (+/- SD), duration of diabetes 14.2 +/- 5.7 years) and 75 age-matched healthy nondiabetic subjects (28 men and 47 women). High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured with a latex-enhanced immunonephelometer. RESULTS: The patients with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher hs-CRP levels (median 0.35, range 0.05-1.47 mg/l vs. median 0.14, range 0.05-1.44 mg/l; P = 0.001) as well as significantly higher mean IMT and max IMT than the nondiabetic subjects (mean IMT 0.76 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.72 +/- 0.04 mm, P = 0.003; max IMT 0.84 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.06 mm, P < 0.0001). Hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with the mean and max IMT of patients with type 1 diabetes and with the max IMT of nondiabetic patients. Multivariate regression analyses for both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects as a single group showed that hs-CRP levels are independently correlated with the mean IMT and max IMT levels (P = 0.002 and P = 0.023, respectively) as well as with diastolic blood pressure, sex, and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that hs-CRP levels are elevated in young patients with type 1 diabetes, possibly corresponding with early-stage advanced carotid atherosclerosis.     

Osteoprotegerin is associated with silent coronary artery disease in high-risk but asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, which has been recently involved in atherosclerosis. The relationship between coronary atherosclerosis and OPG has never been studied in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a nested case-control study; 162 asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated for silent myocardial ischemia using stress myocardial perfusion imaging; of 50 patients with positive results, 37 underwent coronary angiography, 20 of whom showed significant coronary artery disease (CAD group). Of 112 patients without silent myocardial ischemia, 20 subjects (NO-CAD group) were selected and matched by age and sex to patients with CAD. OPG, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, lipoprotein(a), albuminuria, and classical risk factors were measured. RESULTS: The percentages of subjects with OPG levels above median and with nephropathy were higher in the CAD group than in the NO-CAD group (70 vs. 25%, P = 0.004 and 50 vs. 5%, P = 0.001, respectively). LDL cholesterol levels were higher and HDL cholesterol levels lower in the CAD compared with the NO-CAD group (P = 0.033 and P = 0.005, respectively). No other variables were associated with CAD. Logistic regression analysis showed that OPG values above median (odds ratio 8.31 [95% CI 1.18-58.68], P = 0.034) and nephropathy (21.98 [1.24-388.36], P = 0.035) were significant independent predictors of asymptomatic CAD in type 2 diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation reports the first evidence of an independent association of OPG with asymptomatic CAD in type 2 diabetic patients. The results of this nested case- control study with 20 cases need to be confirmed in a larger population.     

应用高频超声对颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病关系的探讨

目的探讨冠心病与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法应用高频彩色多普勒超声检测80例冠心病患者的双侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块、颈动脉内-中膜厚度（IMT）及僵硬系数（β）,并与对照组进行比较。结果冠心病组与对照组斑块发生率分别为86．2％和25．0％,前者显著多于后者（P〈0．005）;冠心病组软斑构成比显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）,而扁平斑和硬斑显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）;冠心病组与对照组比较,前者颈动脉IMT、β显著高于后者（P〈0．05）。颈动脉IMT与β呈正相关（r=0．785,P〈0．05）。结论颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病密切相关,可作为预测及评价冠心病的重要指标之一。     

Prognostic value of epicardial coronary artery constriction to the cold pressor test in type 2 diabetic patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and no other major coronary risk factors

OBJECTIVE: Endothelium-dependent coronary dilation is impaired in diabetic patients and has been found to independently predict cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with multiple coronary risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of type 2 diabetic patients on the basis of epicardial coronary dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined 56 control subjects (aged 51.7 +/- 6.4 years) using coronary artery response to the cold pressor test (quantitative coronary angiography) and compared them with 72 type 2 diabetic patients (aged 50.3 +/- 8.5 years) without other major coronary risk factors. RESULTS: Average diameter change was 17.2 +/- 10.4% in the control subjects, dilation occurred in 91.1% of subjects, no change occurred in 8.9%, and there was no constriction. Average diameter change was -14.4 +/- 12.1% in diabetic patients (P < 0.001 vs. control subjects), constriction occurred in 73.6%, no change occurred in 26.4%, and there was no dilation. CVEs were recorded with a mean follow-up of 45 +/- 19 months. There was 1 CVE in the control group and 26 CVEs in 18 of 72 diabetic patients (P < 0.001 vs. control subjects), with 23 events in 16 of 53 diabetic patients with coronary artery constriction (P < 0.001 vs. control subjects), and 3 events in 2 of 19 diabetic patients with no diameter change (NS vs. control subjects). CONCLUSIONS: In type 2 diabetic patients without other major coronary risk factors, constriction of angiographically normal coronary arteries to the cold pressor test is predictive of long-term CVEs.     

2型糖尿病患者脉搏波传导速度、踝臂指数和颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性研究

目的 探讨2型糖尿病人群大动脉顺应性和颈动脉粥样硬化的情况及相关性.方法 随机抽取我院2型糖尿病患者以及正常对照各80例作为研究对象.使用动脉硬化诊断装置VP-1000检测肱踝脉搏波传导速度(BaPWV)和踝臂指数(ABI),采用多普勒彩色超声观察颈总动脉内膜-中层厚度(IMT)以及斑块形成情况,比较两组合并颈动脉斑块时脉搏波传导速度的变化情况,分析颈动脉IMT与BaPWV和ABI的相关性.结果 糖尿病组BaPWV[(1752±213)cm/s]较正常对照组[(1279±159)cm/s]升高(t=28.09,P＜0.01);糖尿病组ABI(0.95±0.13)与正常对照组(1.28±0.17)相比差异有统计学意义(t =32.11,P＜0.01).糖尿病组颈动脉IMT增厚率(45.0％)及斑块发生率(35.0％)与正常对照组(分别为27.5％和10.8％)相比差异有统计学意义(x2值分别为4.16、4.14,P均＜0.01);糖尿病组合并颈动脉斑块者BaPWV[(1810±296)cm/s]较无颈动脉斑块[(1480±304)cm/s]者升高(t=15.86,P＜0.01).糖尿病患者BaPWV与颈总动脉IMT呈正相关(r=0.271,P＜0.05),ABI与IMT呈负相关(r=-0.406,P＜0.05).结论 BaPWV与糖尿病患者颈动脉IMT呈正相关,ABI与IMT呈负相关,BaPWV和ABI可作为评估糖尿病外周动脉硬化情况有效且简便易行的指标.     

超声检测颈动脉粥样硬化对冠状动脉病变的预测价值

目的 探讨超声检测颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)及动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成对冠状动脉病变预测的价值.方法 应用彩色多普勒超声对拟行冠状动脉造影检查的120例患者行颈动脉IMT测量及观察粥样斑块形成情况,并根据冠状动脉造影结果分为对照组、单支病变组和多支病变组,比较各组斑块的发生率并检测颈动脉粥样斑块对冠心病诊断的敏感性和特异性.结果 冠心病患者中,多支病变组IMT及斑块发生率高于单支病变组和对照组,组间比较差异均有统计学意义;颈动脉粥样斑块对冠心病诊断的敏感性为93.22%,特异性为70.51%,阳性预测值为70.51%,阴性预测值为93.22%.结论 在冠心病患者及具有冠心病高危险因素人群临床检查中,超声对颈动脉IMT增厚和斑块形成的检测,能够成为研究冠心病危险程度的可靠预测指标.     

Relations between carotid artery wall thickness and liver histology in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with several metabolic syndrome features. We assessed whether NAFLD is associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and whether such an association is independent of classical risk factors, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome features. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared carotid IMT, as assessed by ultrasonography, in 85 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 160 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy control subjects. RESULTS: NAFLD patients had a markedly greater carotid IMT (1.14 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.82 +/- 0.12 mm; P < 0.001) than control subjects. The metabolic syndrome (according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) and its individual components were more frequent in those with NAFLD (P < 0.001). The marked differences in carotid IMT observed between the groups were only slightly weakened after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking history, LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance (by homeostasis model assessment), and metabolic syndrome components. Notably, carotid IMT was strongly associated with degree of hepatic steatosis, necroinflammation, and fibrosis among NAFLD patients (P < 0.001 for all). Similarly, by logistic regression analysis, the severity of histological features of NAFLD independently predicted carotid IMT (P < 0.001) after adjustment for all potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the severity of liver histopathology among NAFLD patients is strongly associated with early carotid atherosclerosis, independent of classical risk factors, insulin resistance, and the presence of metabolic syndrome.     

HIV-positive patients treated with protease inhibitors have vascular changes resembling those observed in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

A metabolic syndrome associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease has been described in HIV-positive individuals. In the present study we investigated whether HIV-positive individuals and CAD (coronary artery disease) patients have similarities in their vascular function and structure. In a case-control study, we compared measurements of carotid artery IMT (intima-media thickness) and brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated vasodilation) in HIV-positive individuals with age- and sex-matched controls with similar risk factors and patients with established CAD. Seventy-one HIV patients, age 42+/-13.9 years (91% male), were compared with 29 CAD patients and 25 controls. HIV patients had higher IMT than controls and similar IMT to CAD patients (0.64+/-0.2 compared with 0.55+/-0.05 and 0.66+/-0.08 mm respectively; F=4.2, P=0.01). Patients taking protease inhibitors had higher IMT (0.69+/-0.2 compared with 0.57+/-0.15 mm; P=0.01), blood pressure, cholesterol and triacylglycerols than those not taking protease inhibtors (P<0.05). In multiple regression analyses, increasing blood pressure (beta: 0.37, P=0.001), glucose (beta: 0.26, P=0.016), cholesterol (beta: 0.24, P=0.033), duration of HIV disease (beta: 0.33, P=0.008) and use of protease inhibitors (beta: 0.27, P=0.04) were the most important determinants of IMT respectively. FMD was associated only with triacylglycerol measurements. Patients with HIV present arterial changes resembling those found in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These vascular changes are closely related to protease-inhibitor-induced changes of metabolic parameters. Thus intensive treatment of these metabolic parameters might retard atherosclerosis in HIV patients.     

颈动脉超声检测在冠心病诊断中的应用

目的 探讨颈总动脉超声检查在冠心病患者诊断中的临床预测价值。方法 超声检测100例患者的双侧颈总动脉的内中膜厚度（IMT）,观察颈动脉斑块,根据冠脉造影（CAG）结果将所有患者分为CAG阳性组和CAG阴性组,并调查冠心病主要危险因素。结果 ①CAG阳性组颈总动脉的IMT较CAG阴性组显著增厚,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。②颈总动脉的IMT≥0．8mm预测冠心病的敏感性76．6％,特异性92．4％,阳性预测值90％,阴性预测值81．7％;颈总动脉的IMT诊断冠心病的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）为0．913（P〈0．01）预测临界点为0．775mm。颈动脉斑块预测冠心病的敏感性90％,特异性70．3％,阳性预测值72．4％,阴性预测值88．1％。结论冠心病患者存在颈总动脉的IMT的显著增厚,以IMT≥8mm作为预测冠心病的临界值有较高的敏感性和特异性,且颈总动脉的IMT与多种危险因素密切相关。     

初诊2型糖尿病患者微量白蛋白尿与早期动脉硬化的相关性研究

目的观察初诊2型糖尿病患者尿白蛋白排泄率（uAER）与早期血管动脉硬化的关系。方法对86例初诊2型糖尿病患者,留尿测定尿UAER,并根据UAER分为两组,同时用高分辨率超声检测颈动脉内膜厚度（IMT）,进行组间比较,对两者关系进行统计分析。结果初诊2型糖尿病患者颈动脉IMT与尿UAER、高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）显著相关。结论尿UAER增高是初诊2型糖尿病患者早期大血管病变的独立危险因素。     

Relationships of plasma interleukin-18 concentrations to hyperhomocysteinemia and carotid intimal-media wall thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: We compared plasma interleukin (IL)-18 concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes with those in age-matched control subjects and investigated whether plasma IL-18 was associated with plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration or carotid intimal-media wall thickness (IMT), an early marker of atherosclerosis, in these patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured plasma IL-18 in 103 type 2 diabetic patients and 45 age-matched control subjects. We also measured patients' plasma tHcy and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). IMT was evaluated for both common carotid arteries. RESULTS: Plasma IL-18 was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects (203 +/- 153 vs. 118 +/- 37 pg/ml, P < 0.001). High IL-18 was defined as equaling or exceeding the mean + 2 SD of plasma IL-18 in control subjects (192 pg/ml). Patients with high IL-18 showed a greater carotid IMT than those with normal IL-18. Carotid plaques were more numerous in diabetic patients with high IL-18 than in those with normal IL-18. Plasma tHcy concentrations were significantly higher in patients with high IL-18 than in those with normal IL-18. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed a strong independent association between tHcy and IL-18. Plasma IL-18 also correlated positively with serum hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes, plasma IL-18 concentrations are greater than in nondiabetic subjects. Plasma IL-18 is an independent determinant of plasma tHcy, which is linked independently with atherosclerotic carotid wall thickening.     

Low HDL cholesterol concentration is associated with increased intima-media thickness independent of arterial stiffness in healthy subjects from families with low HDL cholesterol

BACKGROUND: Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is associated with increased risk for developing coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular disease is characterized by increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness, but the effect of low HDL on these measurements has not been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 18 apparently healthy subjects from families with low HDL-C and 18 control subjects, which were pair-matched to maximize statistical power. Intima-media thickness was assessed using ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries. Arterial stiffness was measured using applanation tonometry on the radial artery and pulse-wave analysis to obtain central aortic pulse-pressure waveform, from which the augmentation index, a measure of global large artery stiffness, was calculated. RESULTS: Low HDL subjects (age 41 +/- 3 years, BMI 26.6 +/- 1.0 kg m(-2) had significantly lower HDL-C than the control subjects (age 41 +/- 3 years, BMI 26.5 +/- 1.0 kg m-2; 1.00 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.09 mmol L-1, low HDL vs. control subjects, P < 0.0001). Subjects with low HDL-C had significantly thicker mean IMTs than the control subjects (0.77 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.70 +/- 0.02 mm, low HDL vs. control subjects, P < 0.01). The maximal (0.99 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.03 mm, P < 0.01), far wall (0.76 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.02 mm, P < 0.05) and carotid bulb (1.11 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.04 mm) IMTs were also significantly increased, whereas the mean common carotid and the internal artery IMT were not. The age-related increase in mean IMT was more pronounced in the low HDL subjects than the control subjects (P < 0.01 for difference between elevations of age vs. IMT slopes). There were no differences in central pressure augmentation, the augmentation index, peripheral or central blood pressures between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A low HDL-C concentration is associated with thickening of carotid IMT independent of other risk factors in healthy affected members of low HDL families.     

Preclinical atherosclerosis and inflammation in 61-year-old men with newly diagnosed diabetes and established diabetes

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of subclinical atherosclerosis and underlying mechanisms in men with newly diagnosed diabetes and established diabetes compared with healthy control subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a population-based study of 61-year-old Caucasian men (n = 271) with established diabetes (n = 50) and newly diagnosed diabetes (n = 24) and healthy control subjects (n = 197), standard risk factors and highly sensitive (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Ultrasound measurements of intima-media thickness (IMT) were performed bilaterally in the common carotid artery, and a composite measure was calculated from common carotid and carotid bulb IMT (composite IMT). The plaque status was assessed. RESULTS: Composite IMT and carotid plaque size increased gradually among the healthy control subjects, newly diagnosed diabetic patients, and established diabetic patients (P for trend < or =0.001, respectively). CRP was higher in newly and established diabetes (NS between diabetes groups) compared with healthy control subjects (P < 0.001). Total cholesterol levels were lower in newly diagnosed diabetes (5.51 +/- 1.13 mmol/l, P < 0.05) and established diabetes (5.45 +/- 1.15 mmol/l, P < 0.01) compared with those of healthy control subjects (5.77 +/- 1.03 mmol/l). In men with diabetes (n = 74), diabetes onset status (newly diagnosed versus established), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and serum triglycerides, but not CRP, explained 16% of the variance in composite IMT. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show increased preclinical atherosclerotic changes (IMT and plaque size) and increased inflammation (hs-CRP) in men with newly diagnosed diabetes as well as in patients with established diabetes compared with healthy control subjects. WHR, diabetes onset status (newly diagnosed versus established), and triglycerides, but not CRP, were independent correlates of carotid artery IMT in men with diabetes.     

Association of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism with carotid atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) gene are associated with essential hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but the correlation between AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) remains unclear. We sought to demonstrate correlation between AGTR1 gene polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in a Chinese population. METHOD: A total of 150 patients diagnosed with essential hypertension were included in this study. The AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism was detected by restriction analysis of the polymerase chain reaction product with Ddel digestion. Carotid IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: The AC genotype frequency and the C1166 allele frequency of the AGTR1 gene in essential hypertensive patients were significantly higher than in controls (22.00% vs. 6.00% for AC, p < 0.01; 18.67% vs. 8.00% for the C allele, p < 0.05). Hypertensive subjects with the AC genotype had increased carotid artery IMT and IMT/D (common carotid artery diameter) ratio compared with the AA genotype (IMT 1.14 +/- 0.39 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.16, p < 0.05; IMT/D 14.08 +/- 2.88 vs. 10.51 +/- 1.94, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism is associated with essential hypertension and carotid atherosclerosis in a Chinese population.     

高频超声对糖尿病患者颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度及斑块形成检测的意义

目的:探讨颈动脉高频超声在糖尿病动脉硬化中的应用价值。方法:使用ATL HDI-5000型高频超声对57例糖尿病患者及43例非糖尿病患者进行对照,观察其颈动脉内径、内膜-中膜厚度(IMT)、斑块形成及血流动力学情况。结果:糖尿病组颈总动脉最大IMT、阻力指数及斑块发生率均明显大于对照组,两组间有显著差异(P<0.01);血流PSV、EDV速度两组间无明显差异(P>0.05)。有合并症的糖尿病组最大IMT及斑块检出率大于无合并症糖尿病组。结论:高频超声能清晰显示颈动脉有无形态学改变(IMT、狭窄、阻塞及斑块的形态、结构)、观察血流状态,对判断糖尿病动脉硬化的病情进展、治疗效果、了解预后及对并发症的预防都有重要意义。