title: An integrative view on the carotid artery alterations in metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multiple risk factor paradigm widely considered in risk management. We aimed to investigate carotid artery alterations in MetS and the underlying risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 400 Chinese subjects were recruited, divided into control (n = 200) and MetS (n = 200) groups. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were collected. All subjects underwent carotid ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiovascular risk profiles were worse in the MetS than control group (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for MetS and age, the MetS group showed significantly increased mean intima-media thickness (IMT(mean)) and significantly impaired carotid elastic properties (all P < 0.05), as compared to control group. Waist circumference (WC) was positively correlated with IMT(mean) (r = 0.130, P = 0.038), systolic carotid diameter (r = 0.139, P = 0.026) and diastolic carotid diameter (r = 0.168, P = 0.007). systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure were positively correlated with IMT(mean) (r = 0.201, P = 0.004; r = 0.168, P = 0.008, respectively), but negatively with arterial compliance coefficient (r = -0.421, P < 0.001; r = -0.230, P < 0.001, respectively). Serum level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) negatively correlated with IMT(mean) (r = -0.195, P = 0.002). Plaque index was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.205, P = 0.001) after adjusting for the other risk factors. Significantly impaired carotid elastic properties (all P < 0.05) independently correlated with IMT(mean) . Furthermore, age (β = 0.255, P < 0.001), SBP (β = 0.224, P < 0.001), WC (β = 0.202, P < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (β = -0.163, P = 0.001) were independently associated with IMT(mean).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid alterations consequent upon MetS ultimately developed subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis, the underlying risk factors for which were abdominal obesity, hypertension, ageing and low level of HDL-C.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Public Health, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Hao
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Yuan-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: Meng-Xiong
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Ning-Ning
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Gui-Hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL