title: Association between carotid arterial remodeling and plasma concentration of circulating hepatocyte growth factor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have reported that the circulating concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was increased in individuals with clinically overt atherosclerotic disease, including coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. However, whether changes in the circulating concentration of HGF are associated with early atherosclerotic changes in apparently healthy individuals remains to be determined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between the plasma concentration of HGF and carotid arterial remodeling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma concentrations of HGF were measured in 201 community-dwelling healthy residents free from any medications and signs and history of cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid internal diameter were determined by ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz probe. The study participants were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of carotid atherosclerosis (presence of plaque, IMT > or = 0.85 mm) and carotid arterial dilatation (diameter > or = 7.0 mm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carotid arterial remodeling, atherosclerosis or dilatation, or combinations thereof, was associated with significantly greater concentrations of plasma HGF. Among risk factors, plasma HGF was significantly associated with advanced age (> or = 65 years), current smoking and diabetes mellitus, whereas sex, obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia did not affect plasma concentrations of HGF. Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma HGF was independently associated with carotid arterial remodeling (atherosclerosis, dilatation, or both) in addition to age and systolic blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the plasma concentration of HGF increases in relation to carotid arterial remodeling, independently of known risk factors for atherosclerosis. These findings further support a possible role of HGF in atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kohara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tabara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor