Elevated serum neuropeptide Y levels are associated with carotid plaque formation in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Carotid plaque (CP) formation is an important consequence of atherosclerosis and leads to significant complications. Levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is a sympathetic neurotransmitter, are elevated in cardiovascular diseases. It also has important roles in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between serum NPY and CP and to study further the influence of NPY and inflammatory factors on CP. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adults who underwent a health examination at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University in Fujian Province, of whom 177 were finally enrolled. The participants were divided into the CP (n = 120) and non-CP (NCP) or control (n = 57) groups according to the results of carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound. The CP group was further classified into stable plaque (SP, n = 80) and vulnerable plaque (VP, n = 40) groups based on plaque characteristics. Serum NPY and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were examined. Univariate and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between serum NPY levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the CP phenotype. Results The serum NPY and TNF-α levels of patients in the CP group were significantly higher than those in individuals from the NCP group [ (177.30 ± 43.29) pg.mL− 1 vs. (121.53 ± 40.16)pg.mL− 1, P < 0.001; (41.94 ± 14.19) pg.mL− 1 vs.(33.54 ± 13.37)pg.mL− 1, P = 0.003]. The serum NPY levels of the patients in the VP group were significantly higher than those in patients from the SP group [(191.67 ± 39.87)ng.L− 1 vs.(170.12 ± 43.37)ng.L− 1, P = 0.01, P < 0.05]. Serum TNF-α and NPY levels were positively correlated among patients from the CP group (r = 0.184, P = 0.044). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that serum NPY and TNF-α were independent influencing factors of CP [(OR = 1.029, P < 0.001);(OR = 1.030, P = 0.023)]. The area under the ROC curve of NPY predicting the CP showed statistical significance at a value of 0.819. Conclusion Together, elevated serum NPY levels seem to be associated with the occurrence of coronary atherosclerosis in Chinese adults.