title: Circulating markers of inflammation are related to carotid artery atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of inflammation in atherothrombotic disorders is becoming increasingly recognized. The present study prospectively investigates relationships between inflammatory markers and hemostatic variables, and non-invasive measures of carotid artery atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Markers of hemostasis (sP-selectin and fibrinogen), cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a and MCP-1), inflammatory variables (hsCRP, SAA and calprotectin) and cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) as well as ultrasonography of the carotid arteries were assessed in 111 consecutive outpatients with manifest or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight patients with manifest cardiovascular disease had higher IL-6 (P < 0.01) but not hsCRP levels. Higher levels of IL-6, calprotectin and VCAM-1 (all P < 0.05) were found in 35 patients with carotid plaques. In the whole study population (n = 109) an increased common carotid artery lumen diameter (LD) and cross sectional intima-media area (CIMA) was related to higher IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 levels (all P < 0.05), and increased LD also to higher hsCRP, calprotectin (both P < 0.05), sP-selectin and fibrinogen levels (both P < 0.01). Both LD and CIMA were related to VCAM-1 (both P < 0.01), but not to ICAM-1 levels. The intima-media thickness of the carotid artery was only positively related to MCP-1 levels (P < 0.05). Only the relation between IL-6 and LD remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status or present lipid-lowering treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several biomarkers of inflammation are related to ultrasonographic measures of carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with moderate to high prevalence of CAD. IL-6 seems to be an independent and useful biomarker of atherosclerosis in this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska Institute at Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden. thomas.larsson@sodersjukhuset.se
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hallerstam
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosfors
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Wallén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D007378:Interleukins