title: Characterization of plaques using 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-1.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hsian-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Ming-Fong
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Bai-Chin
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wen-Yih I
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Jiann-Shing
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: Kai-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Tzen
authors.forename: Ruoh-Fang
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Por-Jau
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wei-Shiung
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1