Increased acute phase reactants are associated with levels of lipoproteins and increased carotid plaque volume

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2001 Mar;21(3):227-34. doi: 10.1053/ejvs.2001.1321.

Abstract

Objectives: to test the hypotheses that increased acute phase reactants predict elevated levels of lipoproteins and increased plaque volume as well as echolucency of carotid plaques.

Materials and methods: the study included 258 patients with >or =50% carotid artery stenosis. Acute phase reactants (orosomucoid, C-reactive protein (CRP)) were measured in the fasting state, and ultracentrifugated lipoproteins before and after a standardised fat load test. Echogenicity of carotid plaques was detected using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound and computer-assisted image processing. A subgroup of 81 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy.

Results: on linear regression analysis orosomucoid levels were positively associated with fasting and postprandial levels of all triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and negatively associated with HDL cholesterol (p -values <0.0001); results for CRP were less pronounced. Orosomucoid and CRP both predicted the presence of an increased carotid plaque volume on univariate analysis (p =0.01 and p =0.02). Finally, orosomucoid was negatively associated with echolucency of carotid plaques ( p =0.05).

Conclusions: elevated levels of acute phase reactants are strongly associated with elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, increased plaque volume, and borderline significantly associated with echolucency of carotid plaques. Elevated acute phase reactants possibly predict severity of atherosclerosis, and presence of lipid-rich, rupture-prone plaques.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Area Under Curve
  • Arteriosclerosis / blood*
  • Arteriosclerosis / diagnostic imaging
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Carotid Stenosis / blood*
  • Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Stenosis / surgery
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Endarterectomy, Carotid
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Linear Models
  • Lipoproteins / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orosomucoid / metabolism*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Substances

  • Lipoproteins
  • Orosomucoid
  • C-Reactive Protein