Characterization of plaques using 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-1.
High tissue matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity has been associated with advanced atherosclerosis and plaque rupture. 18F-FDG uptake has been reported to detect inflammation. This investigation examined the vascular 18F-FDG uptake by PET/CT and its correlation with circulating MMP-1 levels.


METHODS
We examined 25 consecutive patients with significant carotid stenosis and 22 healthy control subjects using 18F-FDG PET/CT. The leukocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), and MMP-1 were measured.


RESULTS
18F-FDG arterial uptake, as well as calcifications, was significantly higher in extensive distributions in patients with established carotid stenosis. However, their distribution was not consistently overlapping. The values of circulating MMP-1 and leukocyte counts were significantly higher in patients with carotid stenosis (all P < 0.05). In addition, subjects with higher 18F-FDG uptake (maximum SUV > 2.0) in target lesions had higher baseline and poststenting MMP-1 levels (all P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We provide a link between 18F-FDG uptake and circulating MMP-1. 18F-FDG PET/CT could be used as an adjunct to the clinical management of high-risk atherosclerosis and an in vivo tool to study plaque biology.
Wu
Yen-Wen
YW
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kao
Hsian-Li
HL
Chen
Ming-Fong
MF
Lee
Bai-Chin
BC
Tseng
Wen-Yih I
WY
Jeng
Jiann-Shing
JS
Tzen
Kai-Yuan
KY
Yen
Ruoh-Fang
RF
Huang
Por-Jau
PJ
Yang
Wei-Shiung
WS
D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015415:Biomarkers; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000201:enzymology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000032:analysis*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D015415:Biomarkers; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1