Impact of Circulating Triglycerides Concentration on Atherosclerotic Disease Status in Middle-Aged Saudi Arabian Dwellers

Abstract

A number of food micronutrients are reported to influence markers of cardio-metabolic health. There is an expectation that there may be an optimal endocrine profile, with triglycerides as a key factor, which may help minimise atherosclerotic disease and associated risk factors. This study involved 84 participants aged (mean ± SD) 48.2 ± 8.3 years from both sexes segregated into n = 30 controls, n = 25 at-risk, and n = 29 diagnosed with atherosclerosis, including 20 participants using statins. Atherosclerosis status and risk factors were assessed using a combination of clinical records, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood glucose (FBG), lipids profiles, vascular structural and functional characteristics (including carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (CR-PWV), central systolic blood pressure (C-SBP), peripheral systolic blood pressure (P-SBP), peripheral diastolic blood pressure (P-DBP), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and carotid artery inter-adventitial diameter (IAD)). There was a significant difference in triglycerides (TG) levels between the clinical groups (p < 0.05) and between the users and non-users of statin (p < 0.001). Significant associations were distinguished between TG and CRP, FBG, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), C-SBP, P-SBP, P-DBP, CR-PWV, heart rate (HR), and body weight in the pooled sample (p < 0.05). In non-users of statin, TG was associated with C-SBP, P-SBP, P-DBP, and HR. In sub-clinical groups, TG was also associated with most of the blood markers. After controlling for statin use, composite z-score analysis revealed 48%, 2%, and 0% differences in in vivo vascular phenotype between high and low TG subgroups in controls, at-risk, and diagnosed atherosclerosis groups, respectively. Thus, TG levels seem to be good indicators for incidence and risk factors of atherosclerosis.