Progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the role of endothelin in diabetic patients.

An increased thickness of the carotid artery wall is thought to be a sign of early atherosclerosis. Since vascular endothelium is the site of formation of several substances, we have investigated the rate of progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the contribution of endothelin (ET-1), lipid peroxides [measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting species (TBARS)] and 6-keto-Prostaglandin-F1A (6-keto-PG-F1A) at baseline and after 30-months. Fifty patients with Type 2 diabetes without evidence of macroangiopathy, hypertension, proteinuria or proliferative retinopathy, and 27 healthy, non-diabetic persons were studied. Arterial wall thickness was measured as the mean of the maximum intimal-medial thickness (IMT) in 16 carotid segments by b-mode ultrasound. The IMT values was significantly increased in diabetic subjects (at baseline: 1110 +/- 310 microm, after 30 months: 1260 +/- 280 microm, p < 0.01), but not in control subjects (1100 +/- 280 microm, 1200 +/- 290 microm, respectively). At baseline time both groups had similar levels of ET-1, TBARS and 6-keto-PG-F1A. In 30-months follow-up, the ET-1 level 8.0 pmol/l (5.8-10.7) was significantly elevated in diabetic subjects, compared with the level at baseline time 7.43 pmol/l (4.8-11.1) p < 0.01. No significant differences were found in the other examined parameters in the studied groups. Although insulin levels remained unchanged in the two studied groups, in 30 months follow-up, the insulin level in the diabetic subjects, 92.4 +/- 35.1 pmol/l was significantly elevated compared with those of control subjects 76.0 +/- 31.0 pmol/l, p < 0.05. In conclusion, endothelis is the main associate of the change of IMT value over 30 months in diabetic patients, in whom the extent of atherosclerosis was significantly greater than in control subjects.     

Sleep apnoea inducing hypoxemia is associated with early signs of carotid atherosclerosis in males

The intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries as a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis was measured by ultrasonography in 49 subjects to determine, how strongly the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome is associated with atherosclerosis. Maximal IMT was higher in patients with cardiovascular diseases and with or without risk factors of atherosclerosis, presenting also OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index=26.1+/-15.6/h) compared to controls without OSA (0.91+/-0.21 mm versus 0.77+/-0.18 mm, p<0.05). The prevalence of IMT > or = 0.85 mm was also higher in patients with cardiovascular pathology presenting OSA than without it (p<0.05). IMT(max) was increased in subjects with mild to moderate OSA alone (AHI=20.4+/-8.7/h) versus healthy controls (0.83+/-0.14 mm versus 0.63+/-0.08 mm, p<0.01). Regression analysis revealed a correlation of IMT(max) with the frequency, intensity and duration of intermittent hypoxemia reflected by AHI (p<0.01), minimal oxygen saturation (p<0.01) and time spent with Sa(O2) < 90% (p<0.05) in patients presenting OSA. The results indicate clear association between early signs of carotid atherosclerosis and moderate OSA in males with and without concomitant cardiovascular pathology.     

Relationship of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism to carotid wall thickness in middle-aged men

The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is a major determinant of circulating ACE levels. The D allele has been suggested to be a potent risk factor for coronary artery disease; however, the effect of the ACE gene on carotid atherosclerosis remains controversial. We therefore studied the relationship between the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). A random sample of 300 men aged 50-59 years living in southern Finland were selected, and 233 agreed to participate (74%). Data were collected in 219 subjects. Quantitative B-mode ultrasonography was used to measure the maximum near and far wall IMT of right and left common, bifurcation, and internal carotid artery. The mean maximum IMT (overall mean) was calculated as the mean of 12 maximum IMTs at 12 standard sites. Patients with an IMT higher than 1.7 mm in at least one of 12 standard sites were assumed to have carotid atherosclerosis. The I/D polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Overestimation of the frequency of the DD genotype was eliminated by insertion-specific primer and the inclusion of 5% dimethylsulfoxide. No significant differences were found in carotid wall thickness between the three genotypes; the overall mean IMT were 1.18 +/- 0.30, 1.22 +/- 0.24, and 1.08 +/- 0.40 mm in genotypes of II, ID, and DD, respectively. Similarly, the ACE genotypes and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between the subjects with and those without carotid atherosclerosis. There was no association in the subgroups among only nonsmoking subjects or subjects without chronic medication. The present data indicate that the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene is not related to carotid IMT and is unlikely to play a major role in carotid atherosclerosis.     

A useful predictor of early atherosclerosis in obese children: serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein

Childhood obesity seems to contribute to the development of vascular inflammation and the progression of arterial wall changes. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has recently emerged as a useful biomarker for vascular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association of the serum hs-CRP level with ultrasonic findings of early atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), in obese children. Thirty eight obese children and 45 sex/age-matched healthy control children were recruited. Serum CRP levels were measured by the high-sensitive latex turbidimetric immunoassay, and we measured carotid IMT and brachial FMD using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Obese children had significantly higher hs-CRP levels (1.40+/-0.74 mg/L vs. 0.55+/-0.49 mg/L, p<0.01), as well as increased IMT (0.52+/-0.09 mm vs. 0.41+/-0.07 mm, p<0.01) and impaired FMD (7.35+/-7.78% vs. 20.34+/-16.81%, p<0.01) compared to healthy controls. Serum hs-CRP correlated positively with IMT (r=0.413, p<0.05) and inversely with FMD (r=-0.350, p<0.05) in the obesity group. Measurement of the serum hs-CRP level is a simple, cheap, and highly reproducible assay and correlates with IMT and FMD in obese children. Thus, it would be a useful marker for evaluating and estimating the degree of atherosclerosis in children.     

OSAS合并原发性高血压患者血浆内皮素-1与颈动脉内膜中层厚度的变化

目的观察阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（obstructive sleep apnea syndrome,OSAS）及OSAS合并原发性高血压（essential hypertension,EH）患者血浆内皮素-1（Endothelin-1,ET-1）、颈动脉内膜中层厚度（carotid artery intima—media thickness,IMT）的变化及相互关系。方法选择OSAS合并EH患者组50例,OSAS患者组40例及健康对照组30例,采用ELISA法测定其血浆ET-1浓度,及利用颈动脉超声检测IMT。结果OSAS合并EH组的血浆ET-1浓度均高于单纯OSAS组及对照组即（124．66±18．90）pg／mL、（54．53±10．82）pg／mL,（45．07±6．45）pg／mL,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;而单纯OSAS组的血浆ET-1浓度亦高于对照组,即（54．53±10．82）pg／mL对（45．07±6．45）pg／mL,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;OSAS合并心血管病组的IMT明显高于单纯OSAS组及对照组,即（1．03±0．11）mm对（0．93±0．06）mm,（0．88±0．07mm,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论OSAS患者存在内皮功能损害,OSAS合并EH者内皮功能紊乱更严重,同时伴IMT增厚。     

2型糖尿病患者载脂蛋白e4等位基因与颈动脉中内膜厚度的关系

目的：了解2型糖尿病（diabetes mellitus,DM)患者载脂蛋白E（apolipoprotein E,apoE)基因型与颈动脉中内膜厚度的关系。方法：选择255例无血管并发症的2型DM患者和107名健康个体，采用聚合酶链反应等位基因特异寡核苷酸探针杂交技术检测其apoE基因型。结果：2型DM组与对照组apoE基因型及等位频率差异无显著性（P＞0．05）；两组中e4/4、e4/3亚组总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白（a)水平明显高于e3/2、e2/2亚组（P＜0．05）；两组中e4/4、e4/3亚组颈动脉中内膜厚度明显高于e3/2,e2/2亚组（P＜0．05）。不论在对照组还是在2型DM ，当调整总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯、脂蛋白（a)、血糖、年龄、体重指数、吸烟等因素的影响后，协方差分析结果显示，颈动脉中内膜厚度在这两个基因型亚组喑差异有显著性（P＜0．05）。结论：不论在健康人还是在2型DM患者，e4等位基因与早期颈动脉粥样硬化关联。     

Coronary artery calcification, common carotid artery intima-media thickness and aortic pulse wave velocity in patients on peritoneal dialysis

An increasing body of evidence suggests that atherosclerosis in patients with uremia differs from that found in general population in terms of advancement and localization of vascular lesions. It has also been suggested that different non-invasive techniques of vascular system evaluation are designed to show different types of lesions (i.e. vascular calcification, stiffness or 'classical' atherosclerosis). The aim of the study was to search for possible associations between results obtained with three different non-invasive methods of vascular system assessment in three different vascular sites in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). 61 patients (28 F, 33 M), mean age of 50.4+/-13.6 years, on maintenance PD for a median period of 10 months (range 1-96 months) were included. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 21 subjects. In all subjects coronary artery calcification score (CaSc) using multi-row spiral computed tomography (MSCT), aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) and ultrasound-based common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) were performed as methods for assessing coronary calcium burden, arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, respectively. Median value of CaSc equaled 11.5 Agatston units (range 0-5502.8 units). Median AoPWV was 10.4 m/s (range 7.56-18.1 m/s), and median CCA-IMT-0.6 mm (range 0.3-1.0 mm). In 16 patients (26.2%) at least one plaque in at least one common carotid artery was found on ultrasound. CaSc correlated with AoPWV (R=0.32, p<0.01) and with CCA-IMT (R=0.35, p<0.005), whereas no association was found between AoPWV and CCA-IMT. AoPWV, but not CaSc nor IMT correlated with blood pressure. The values of CCA-IMT and AoPWV increased together with consecutive Agatston categories (with p<0.001 for differences in AoPWV and p<0.05 for CCA-IMT). Patients with at least one plaque found in at least one CCA and patients with CAD were characterized with significantly higher values of CaSc, IMT and PWV, when compared to plaque-free and CAD- negative subjects, respectively. Association between CaSc and both IMT and PWV may suggest that the mechanism of three assessed vascular pathologies may be based, to some extent, on the process of pathologic calcium-phosphate deposition. Lack of correlation found between PWV and IMT may suggest that aortic stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis may partially differ in their pathologic background and/or are dissociated in time.     

Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus

We examined whether alterations in vascular endothelial function and early structural changes in atherosclerosis are associated with microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement were performed in 70 young adults (aged 19 to 35 yr), 48 with type 1 DM, and 22 normal controls. Patients with diabetes had a lower peak FMD response (7.8+/-3.9 vs. 11.1+/-1.9%, p<0.001) and increased IMT (0.51+/-0.10 vs. 0.42+/-0.07 mm, p<0.001) compared with controls. Twenty (41.7%) of the patients had microvascular complications including neuropathy, nephropathy, or retinopathy. In these complicated diabetic patients, we found a lower FMD response (6.1+/-2.5 vs. 9.9+/-3.5%, p=0.001) compared with diabetics without microvascular complications. The presence of microvascular complications was also associated with older age and longer duration of the disease. However, no differences were observed in IMT, body size, blood pressure, HbA1c, C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between complicated and non-complicated patients. Endothelial dysfunction and early structural atherosclerotic changes are common manifestations in type 1 DM, and endothelial dysfunction is thought to be an early event in the atherosclerotic process and important in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications.     

Circulating and tissue endothelin immunoreactivity in advanced atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND. Atherosclerosis is characterized by endothelial injury and the proliferation of arterial smooth-muscle cells. The latter may be a result of the release of growth factors from the vessel wall; such growth factors may include an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor for peptide with mitogenic properties. We tested the hypothesis that plasma endothelin concentrations are elevated in persons with symptomatic atherosclerosis, independently of age. METHODS. We measured plasma endothelin levels in 100 normal subjects and in 40 patients with atherosclerosis predominantly of the following types: aortic and peripheral vascular disease (14 patients), renovascular disease (9 patients) coronary artery disease (9 patients), and carotid disease (8 patients). We also performed immunohistochemical staining for endothelin in the walls of atherosclerotic vessels. RESULTS. In the normal subjects, the mean (+/- SD) plasma endothelin concentration was 1.4 +/- 0.2 pmol per liter, with no correlation between age and plasma endothelin concentration (r = 0.13, P = 0.2). In the patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis, the mean plasma endothelin concentration was 3.2 +/- 1.2 pmol per liter (P less than 0.001), and there was a significant correlation between plasma endothelin and the number of sites of disease involvement (r = 0.89, P less than 0.001). In the immunohistochemical studies, endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity was observed in vascular smooth muscle as well as in endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS. Endothelin may be a marker for arterial vascular disease. Whether it participates in the atherogenic process or is merely released from damaged endothelial cells is unclear.     

The relationship between carotid and coronary atherosclerotic damage in dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Data relating carotid ultrasound (CU) to atherosclerotic damage evaluated by coronary angiography in hemodialysis patients are scarce. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study in 33 uremic subjects (age 55 +/- 12 years, 22 male, 7 diabetic), who have been on dialysis for 41 +/- 48 months (range 2-192). Twenty-two underwent a coronary angiography in order to complete clinical evaluation for inclusion on the kidney transplantation waiting list, and 11 because of coronary artery disease (CAD); Gensini's score was calculated. Intima-media thickness (IMT) and presence of plaques were related to the degree of coronary stenosis and to cardiovascular risk factors. Patients were divided into two groups depending on mean IMT (group 1 IM 0.9 mm, n=15). RESULTS: Group 2 was older (60 +/- 8 vs 50 +/- 12 year, p=0.01), had higher frequency of CAD (53 vs 16%, p=0.02) and had higher prevalence of coronary artery stenosis >or= 75% in the right (60 vs 22%, p=0.02), left anterior descending (46 vs 16%, p=0.06) and left circumflex coronary arteriers (60 vs 11%, p=0.05) than group 1. IMT was not related to the degree of CAD evaluated by Gensini's score. IMT sensibility and specificity in detecting the presence of hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis were 64% and 68%, respectively. Coronary narrowing was correlated with the degree of stenosis of common, internal and external carotid arteries (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient). During two years of follow-up, six major cardiac events were recorded and they were related to Gensini's score. CONCLUSIONS: In uremic patients, ultrasonographic evaluation of carotid arteries is a simple, noninvasive examination that could be a helpful tool in detecting coronary atherosclerotic damage, but IMT does not appear to add more information regarding risk stratification of CAD.     

Intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity in hypertensive adolescents

Increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) are noninvasive markers of early arterial wall alteration and are more widely used in adult clinical research. We investigated whether IMT and PWV are useful predictors of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive adolescents. Fifteen hypertensive adolescents (13-18 yr old, systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg, diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg) and seventeen normotensive subjects were included. Height, weight, obesity index, body mass index (BMI), and fat distribution were obtained from each group. Serum lipid, insulin, vitamine B12, folate, renin, aldosterone, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and homocysteine levels were compared. The carotid IMT and PWV were measured. Arterial wall compliance and distensibility were calculated with the equation. High systolic blood pressure significantly correlated with height, weight, BMI, obesity index, arm circumference, fat mass, and fat distribution. Hypertensive adolescents had significantly greater cIMT (carotid intima-media thickness) and lower elastic properties such as cross-sectional compliance and distensibility of the carotid artery. The carotid IMT significantly correlated with brachial-ankle PWV. In conclusion, the measurement of carotid IMT and brachial-ankle PWV might be useful to predict the development of atherosclerosis in hypertensive adolescents.     

瞬时波强在判断颈动脉硬化早期的临床意义

目的研究瞬时波强（WI）在动脉硬化早期改变的特点、诊断意义及影响因素。方法分析颈总动脉的WI、动脉内中膜厚度（IMT）、动脉硬化指标、血生化指标等的相关关系。建立IMT增厚诊断的ROC曲线。根据瞬时波强等指标,建立IMT的多元回归方程。结果 IMT与W1、β、Ep、PWVβ显著相关（P〈0.01）。IMT增厚组的W1、β、Ep、PWVβ、PWV_WI较对照组显著升高（P〈0.01）。IMT增厚诊断的ROC曲线下面积W1、β、PWVβ分别为0.875、0.723、0.763;WI、IMT和动脉硬化指标与多种因素显著相关（P〈0.05）。IMT预测的回归方程为Y（IMT）=-0.246＋0.024＊W1＋0.297＊年龄＋0.010＊ApoB（P〈0.01）。结论 WI能敏感反映动脉硬化早期改变,能较好地诊断和预测动脉硬化,为进一步临床研究和诊断治疗提供参考。     

Carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Aim of the study was to explore the correlation between the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the evolution of cognitive impairment in 66 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). They underwent cognitive status evaluation and ultrasonography (US) to investigate carotid arteries intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque index (PI). After a 12-month follow-up period, neuropsychological and US examinations were repeated to assess the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and of cognitive decline [in terms of changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores]. MMSE score changes were related to baseline IMT (p=0.018), changes in IMT (p<0.001) and PI (p=0.006), and "antihypertensive drug intake" (p<0.001). While the first three variables correlated with increased cognitive impairment, the last one was associated with a reduced extent of MMSE score decline. Results show a link between progression of carotid wall changes and of cognitive decline, and suggest a possible protective role of antihypertensive therapy. Given the potential clinical implications, our preliminary findings could stimulate further investigations into the role of vascular impairment in patients with AD.     

红斑狼疮患者外周血内皮祖细胞数量与颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度相关性研究

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者外周血内皮祖细胞（EPC）与颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度（IMT）的关系。方法连续选入40例SLE患者做为SLE组,超声检测颈动脉IMT按IMT增厚与否分为IMT正常组和IMT增厚组,20名门诊健康体检者为对照组。流式细胞分析计量外周血EPC（CD34和KDR双阳性细胞）;比较各组EPC数量及直线相关分析EPC数量和IMT相关性。结果SLE组外周血EPC数量较对照组显著减少,P〈0.01;同时在SLE组中IMT增厚组EPC数量低于IMT正常组,P〈0.01,且IMT与外周血EPC数量呈负相关（n=40,r=-0.494,P=0.006）。结论SLE患者存在早期动脉粥样硬化,外周血EPC数量降低与颈动脉IMT增加密切相关,外周血EPC数量降低可能是SLE引起早期动脉粥样硬化的重要原因之一。     

Duration of menopause and behavior of malondialdehyde, lipids, lipoproteins and carotid wall artery intima-media thickness.

AIM: our study assessed whether minor or major hormonal deficiency influenced oxidative status and vascular wall structure in menopausal women. METHODS: the study series was made up of 62 non hypertensive non diabetic menopausal women (mean age 52.3+/-4.7 years) divided into two groups depending on duration of menopause (group 1 duration 0-5 years; group 2 duration over 5 years). Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and common carotid artery wall intima-media thickness (IMT) were determined in the entire series. RESULTS: mean TC, LDL-C, TG, MDA and IMT values were higher in group 2 than group 1. The intergroup difference between MDA (P<0.007) and IMT values (P<0.006) values was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: the study revealed a close temporal correlation between plasma oxidative stress and carotid wall IMT, jeopardizes vascular wall status as menopause proceeds.     

Retinol binding protein 4 correlates with and is an early predictor of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

The association of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) with atherosclerosis of the carotid artery in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains undefined. We aimed to investigate the correlation of RBP4 expression with atherosclerosis of the carotid artery in T2DM. A total of 1,076 subjects were investigated for intima-media thickness of the bilateral common carotid arteries, and they were divided into three groups: in group I, patients had normal neck vascular ultrasound, in group II, intimal carotid artery media thickness was equal to or more than 1 mm, and in group III, carotid artery plaque was present. Height, weight, blood pressure (BP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were determined by routine laboratory methods. RBP4 and high sensitivity C reactive protein (HsCRP) were measured by an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay, and insulin concentration was measured by an electrochemiluminescence sandwich immunoassay. Duration of diabetes, waist and BP, FPG, HbA1c, TG, TC, LDL-C, APOB, Lp(a), HsCRP, RBP4 and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were significantly lower in group I than in the other two groups (P<0.01, P<0.01). Plasma levels of HbA1c, RBP4, LDL-C, TC, HOMA-IR, HsCRP and Lp(a), waist and BP were significantly increased in group III than in group II (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there were seven factors associated with the occurrence of carotid artery atherosclerosis and its risks in descending order were: high LDL-C, high waist, high HsCRP, duration of diabetes, high HOMA-IR, HbA1c and high RBP4. Our finding supported that RBP4 was positively correlated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM and could be used as an early predictor of cardiovascular disease.     

Risk factor–gene interaction in carotid atherosclerosis: effect of gene polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin system

The risk factor–gene interaction in carotid atherosclerosis was investigated in 205 community-dwelling healthy subjects aged 50 years or more in Japan. The intima–media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was evaluated by ultrasonography with a 7.5-MHz probe. Gene polymorphisms were determined for each subject with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D), angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C, and apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotypes. There was no genotype-specific difference in carotid IMT among any genes examined. Combinations of genotypes did not increase carotid IMT compared with subjects without these genotypes. In the total population, multiple regression analysis showed that age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), sex, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with carotid IMT. However, the association between risk factors and IMT was genotype-specific. Age was significantly associated with IMT in ACE D carriers, but not in subjects with the ACE II genotype. Analysis of covariance adjusted with other risk factors showed that the age-dependent change in IMT was significantly different between subjects with the ACE II genotype and the ACE D carriers (F[1.196] = 4.97; P = 0.027). Similarly, the regression of IMT on SBP was significantly different between AGT TT and AGT MT + MM (F[1.196] = 7.20; P = 0.0079). The regression of IMT on BMI was also significantly different between apo E4 carriers and noncarriers (F[1.196] = 6.78; P = 0.0099). Furthermore, general linear model analysis with risk factors, genotype, and risk factor-genotype interactions revealed that the age^*ACE genotype interaction, the SBP^*AGT genotype interaction, and the BMI^*apoE genotype interaction were significantly associated with IMT. These findings further support the role of risk factor-gene interaction in carotid atherosclerosis. Received: January 5, 2001 / Accepted: February 5, 2001     

The double heterozygote of two endothelin-1 gene polymorphisms (G8002A and -3A/-4A) is related to big endothelin levels in chronic heart failure

The aim of this study was to focus on the relationship among the associated genotypes of G (8002) A and -3A/-4A endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene polymorphisms and some clinical and/or biochemical parameters in Czech (Caucasian) patients with chronic heart failure. Included in the study were 103 patients with chronic heart failure (functional classes NYHA II-IV, ejection fraction < 40%). The ET-1 gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. A significant decrease in the ET-1-associated genotype AG3A4A number (double heterozygote) was observed in CHF patients with plasma big endothelin levels above 0.7 pmol/L compared to those with levels below 0.7 pmol/L (OR = 0.19; 95% confidence interval = 0.06-0.57; P = 0.005; Pcorr = 0.03). We found a significant decrease in the AG3A4A genotype number in the other groups compared to the group of patients with both big endothelin and endothelin-1 levels under 0.7 pmol/L (OR = 0.22; 95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.79; P = 0.02). The double heterozygote variants of two ET-1 gene polymorphisms were associated with significantly less risk for chronic heart failure with higher levels of big endothelin.     

初发2型糖尿病患者颈动脉内中膜厚度与各代谢指标的关系

目的探讨初发2型糖尿病（T2DM）人群中颈动脉内中膜厚度（IMT）与各代谢指标的相关关系,探寻动脉粥样硬化的危险因素。方法选择正常对照组（NC）44例、糖耐量正常的单纯肥胖组（Ob）42例、新诊的2型糖尿病患者60例,所有对象于清晨空腹测量身高、体重、腰围、臀围、血压,计算体重指数（BMI）和腰臀比（WHR）;空腹检测各组生化指标,并同时行糖耐量试验（OGTY）,检测OGTT中0、30、60、120min各时点血糖及胰岛素值,利用Bergman最小模型技术计算胰岛素敏感指数（ISI）;并以高分辨率彩色血管多普勒超声检查颈总动脉（CCA）内中膜厚度。结果IMT值T2DM组较NC组（P〈0．01）及0b组显著升高（P〈0．05）。所有初发T2DM患者,IMT与年龄、甘油三酯（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL—C）、餐后2h血糖（2hPG）及ISI呈正相关（P〈0．05．0．01）：与BMI、腰围呈负相关（P〈0．05）。在校正年龄、性别因素的影响后,IMT与BMI、腰围、TC、LDL-C及ISI无显著相关,与2hPG呈显著相关（r=0．461,P〈0．001）。结论2hPG是初发T2DM人群早期动脉粥样硬化（AS）的独立危险因素,降低2hPG有望改善T2DM人群的血管功能。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者脂联素和C一反应蛋白与颈动脉内膜中层厚度的关系

目的观察多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者血清脂联素(APN)水平和C一反应蛋白(CRP)浓度与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的关系,探讨PCOS患者是否存在早期动脉粥样硬化。方法选择我院PCOS患者51例作为研究对象,分为肥胖组与非肥胖组,同期选择非PCOS患者50例作为对照,测定血清APN水平和CRP浓度及内分泌代谢指标,同时采用彩色多普勒显像仪测量颈总动脉IMT。结果 PCOS肥胖组及非肥胖组血清APN水平低于对照组(P<0.05),CRP浓度、颈动脉IMT均明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。PCOS肥胖组血清APN水平低于非肥胖组(P<0.05);PCOS肥胖组血清CRP浓度、IMT高于非肥胖组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。相关分析显示PCOS组APN与CRP,IMT、HOMA-IR均有显著的负相关(P<0.05或P<0.01)。CRP与IMT、HOMA-IR具有显著的正相关(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论 PCOS患者尤其伴有肥胖者血清脂联素水平降低,CRP浓度升高,胰岛素抵抗增加,IMT增加,可能存在早期动脉粥样硬化。炎症反应可能参与了PCOS患者尤其伴有肥胖者早期动脉粥样硬化的发生发展。