Affiliation:
1. Chair of Internal Medicine, International Centre for Education and Research in Cardiovascular Pathology and Cardiovisualization, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russian Federation, Russia
2. Heart Failure Unit and Division of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, San Raffaele Hospital and Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
Abstract
Background & objectives
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of this investigation was to study the role of biological markers in predicting the risk of carotid and coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Methods
A total of 161 males in the age group of 30-65 yr were included in this study. All participants underwent biochemical analyses [cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, glucose, (interleukin) IL-8, IL-10, (proprotein convertase inhibitors subtilisin/kexin type 9) PCSK9, sortilin, creatinine]; ECG; echocardiography; coronary angiography; ultrasound doppler of brachiocephalic arteries. Based on PCSK9 levels, participants were divided into four groups: group 1, n=41 individuals with PCSK9 level of 100-250 ng/ml; group 2, n=37 individuals with PCSK9 level of 251-400 ng/ml; group 3, n=51 individuals with PCSK9 level of 401–600 ng/ml and group 4, n=32 individuals with PCSK9 level of 601-900 ng/ml.
Results
Sortilin level was the highest in group 2. Group 3 individuals had the highest level of IL-8. Correlation analysis of the entire data set revealed the relationship of relative left ventricular thickness index with age, cardiovascular risk, body mass index, intima-media thickness and left ventricular mass index; sortilin had a negative relationship of weak strength with age and smoking, a direct relationship between the risk of cardiovascular complications and with IL-10.
Interpretation & conclusions
Sortilin is the innovative marker of CVDs. In the present investigation, we demonstrated the clear increase in the inflammatory markers (IL-8) in individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis. This fact can be explained by the oxygen stress activation. In individuals with coronary artery stenosis (50% and more), the increase in IL-10 levels demonstrates, to our opinion, the activation of antioxidant protection activation.