[Relationship between the metabolic syndrome, endothelial function and intima-media thickness in asymptomatic middle-aged individuals].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relation between cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome, endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic middle-aged individuals.


METHODS
A total of 180 subjects (86 men and 94 women, mean age 38.8+/-0.3 years) have been investigated. Anthropometric, blood pressure measurements have been performed and lipid as well as high sensitivity C-reactive protein blood levels have been tested. The endothelial function was assessed by measuring the vasodilatation of the brachial artery. The carotid intima-media thickness was measured with high resolution B-mode ultrasound imaging. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation definition criteria (2005).


RESULTS
The metabolic syndrome has been diagnosed in 48 (26.7%) individuals: 28 (32.6%) males and 20 (21.3%) females. Significantly reduced endothelial function has been established in asymptomatic men when compared to women. However, statistically significant decrease (4.84%) in endothelial function in metabolic individuals was detected only among males. In the metabolic patients intima-media of common carotid artery, carotid bulb and internal carotid artery was thicker than in those without metabolic syndrome (0.006, 0.007 and 0.007 cm, respectively) (alpha=0.000, beta=0.01). Endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickening correlated with increased blood pressure, abdominal circumference and body mass index as well as with elevated blood triglyceride and glucose levels. Intima-media thickness was greater in individuals with impaired endothelial function in all carotid segments tested. No relationship has been observed between total or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and endothelial function, intima-media thickening or high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that the metabolic syndrome and/or its components may influence the different initial mechanisms of atherosclerosis--disorder of endothelial function and intima-media thickening. It is presumable that the lipid disorders as well as inflammation may play more significant role in the presence of impaired endothelial function.
Gustiene
Olivija
O
Clinic of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. olivija.gustiene@gmail.com
Slapikas
Rimvydas
R
Marcinkeviciene
Jolanta
J
Petrauskiene
Irena
I
Milasauskiene
Zemyna
Z
Griskeviciūte
Rasa
R
Plepyte
Julija
J
Zaliūnas
Remigijus
R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation
D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides