Circulating vascular cell adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in dependence on aging.
BACKGROUND
Elevated levels of circulating cell adhesion molecules (cCAMs) such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) are found in subjects with vascular diseases and in subjects with several risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, data evaluating cCAMs and biological age are limited.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess in subjects with different cardiovascular risk profiles the levels of cVCAM-1, cICAM-1, and cE-selectin in dependence on age.


METHODS
The following groups of subjects were included in the study: 282 apparently healthy subjects of the average population aged 18-89 years, 77 vegetarians who are characterized by a favourable global cardiovascular risk profile, 94 patients with coronary heart disease, and 181 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast for measurement of cCAMs, lipoproteins, and other clinical/biochemical parameters. The cCAM levels were determined by the use of monoclonal antibody based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.


RESULTS
Amongst the cCAMs, cVCAM-1 is uniquely elevated in elderly persons with different risks for atherosclerosis, including subjects of the average population, vegetarians with a favourable risk profile, and patients with both coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. With respect to cICAM-1, an age-dependent elevation was found in the control subjects included in the study. The cE-selectin levels were not correlated with age. Moreover, no associations of cCAMs with serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study indicate that cVCAM-1 is an age-dependent parameter independent of cardiovascular risk.
Richter
Volker
V
Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig/Working Group Health Promotion and Prevention of Atherosclerosis e.V. (AGA) Leipzig, Germany. richv@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Rassoul
Fausi
F
Purschwitz
Kathrin
K
Hentschel
Bettina
B
Reuter
Wolfgang
W
Kuntze
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
D019040:E-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1