Fibrinogen promotes early atherosclerotic changes of the carotid artery in young, healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether high plasma levels or activities of different hemostatic proteins contribute to the development of early atherosclerotic vessel wall changes. Elevated levels of various hemostatic proteins and markers of inflammation have been linked to an increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events; however, the mechanisms by which these molecules might contribute to this increased risk is not clear.


METHODS
The intima-media thickness of the common carotid arteries (CCA-IMT) of 125 healthy young volunteers without known cardiovascular risk factors was measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, thrombomodulin, protein Z and CRP were quantified, and the plasma activities of protein C, plasminogen and factor VIII were measured. Other established risk factors, such as body mass index (BMI) and plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and homocysteine, were also determined. Furthermore, the carotid arteries were examined for the presence of plaques and stenoses.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed a significant negative correlation between CCA-IMT and HDL cholesterol, and positive correlations with age, BMI, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, fibrinogen and thrombomodulin, but not with total cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) and hsCRP. CCA-IMT was also statistically independent of the activities of protein C, factor VIII and plasminogen. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation of CCA-IMT with age, BMI and fibrinogen.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that fibrinogen levels correlate with early atherosclerotic changes of the carotid artery in a population with very low cardiovascular risk.
Grebe
Mathias T
MT
Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Medical Clinic, University Clinic Giessen and Marburg, Klinikstrasse 36, Giessen, Germany. Mathias.Grebe@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
Luu
Brigitte
B
Sedding
Daniel
D
Heidt
Martin Clemens
MC
Kemkes-Matthes
Bettina
B
Schaefer
Christian Alexander
CA
Tillmanns
Harald H
HH
Gündüz
Dursun
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D055815:Young Adult
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol