Risk factors for ischemic heart disease and glycosaminoglycans (GAG's) in plasma in atherosclerosis obliterans

GAGs (glycosoaminoglycans) derive from damaged artery endothelium cells. Theoretically their concentration could be used to measure the level of atherosclerosis process. The aim of the study was to estimate the concentration of glucosamine and galactosamine in plasma in patients with AO in comparison to the main risk factors of CHD: smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension. Investigated group: the subject of the study were 35 men and 26 women suffering from AO. The control group comprised 20 men and 28 women. People from both groups were 36-65 years old. The concentration of glucosamine and galactosamine were determined by automatic amino acid analyzer LC 6001 Biotronic. The lipids in plasma were determined by conventional methods. Results 100% of men and 81% of women with AO were smokers to compare 70% and 17% in the control group. Systolic blood pressure in men with AO was 134 +/- 13 mm Hg and in women 136 +/- 16 mm Hg. In the control groups they were respectively 122 +/- 10 mm Hg and 124 +/- 10 mm Hg. The difference between the groups is statistically significant. Diastolic and systolic pressures in women with AO were higher then in the control group. In men with AO systolic pressure, but not diastolic pressure, was higher than in the control group. It was observed that in women with AO the concentration of total cholesterol, LDL-chol, apo B in serum, apo B in LDL, TG, TC-HDL-chol/HDL-chol, LDL/HDL were higher, HDL-chol was lower in comparison with the control group. In men with AO total cholesterol, LDL-chol/HDL-chol and TC-HDL-chol/HDL-chol were higher then in the control group, HDL-chol was lower. 80% of women and 74% of men with AO suffered from hyperlipidemia compared with 36% and 60% in the control group respectively. Mixed hyperlipidemia was the most important factor differentiating patients with AO and the control group, when compared to other types of hyperlipidemia. The coexistence of risk factors was more frequently observed in patient with AO then in the control group. Differences in concentrations of glucosamine and galactosamine between the patients with AO and the control group were not statistically significant in women and only slightly statistically significant in men. CONCLUSIONS: Classical risk factors of CHD differentiate patients with AO from the healthy people. The concentrations of glucosamine and galactosamine in plasma cannot be used to determine the atherosclerosis process.