title: Soluble Fas ligand and atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system is involved in apoptosis in many types of cells. Recently, the expression of FasL on endothelial cells was reported. FasL is cleaved by a metalloproteinase and released in serum as soluble FasL (sFasL). Vasoactive substances, including metalloproteinase, are modulated by endothelial dysfunction. Advanced atherosclerosis and impaired endothelial function are seen in hypertensive patients. The inflammatory response has an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, whereas C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with the presence and severity of atherosclerosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and evaluate the relationship between atherosclerosis and serum sFasL concentrations in hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-seven patients with hypertension participated in the study. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery was evaluated by ultrasound imaging. Serum concentrations of sFasL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intima-media thickness correlated positively with age (r = 0.362, P = 0.012) and sFasL concentrations (r =0.332, P = 0.022), and negatively with creatinine clearance (r = -0.399, P = 0.0055). A general linear model analysis with atherosclerotic risk factors and sFasL revealed that age, sFasL, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with intima-media thickness. Furthermore, we demonstrated that serum sFasL is directly associated with CRP concentration (r = 0.316, P = 0.030).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicated that serum sFasL concentration is associated with atherosclerosis and inflammatory disease, in patients with hypertension.
authors: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Onsen-gen, Ehime, Japan.
authors: Takafumi
authors: T
authors: Okura
authors: Sanae
authors: S
authors: Watanabe
authors: Yinong
authors: Y
authors: Jiang
authors: Michitsugu
authors: M
authors: Nakamura
authors: Yasunori
authors: Y
authors: Takata
authors: Zhao-Hui
authors: ZH
authors: Yang
authors: Katsuhiko
authors: K
authors: Kohara
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Kitami
authors: Kunio
authors: K
authors: Hiwada
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012307:Risk Factors; D012995:Solubility; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D003404:Creatinine