title: Increased Hs-CRP/adiponectin ratio is associated with increase carotid intima-media thickness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and adiponectin (APN) are two critical cytokines and exert inverse effects on atherosclerosis initiation and progression. The purpose of our study was to investigate the value of Hs-CRP and ANP ratio (Hs-CRP/APN ratio) on evaluating atherosclerosis progression.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred sixty consecutive participants underwent carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measured by ultrasound were enrolled and drawn fasting blood samples for plasma levels Hs-CRP and APN, serum levels of lipid profiles and fasting blood glucose evaluation. Other anthropometrics and clinical status were collected by questionnaire. All participants were divided into 4 groups according to the baseline Hs-CRP/APN ratio and underwent CIMT measurement every 6 months. CIMT increment and composite cardiovascular endpoints were compared after 24 months' follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, body mass index (BMI), smoking, diabetic mellitus, usage of statins, Hs-CRP and APN independently correlated with Hs-CRP/APN ratio as analyzed by spearman rank correlation. Smoking, serum level of LDL-C, plasma level of Hs-CRP and Hs-CRP/APN ratio were positively correlated with CIMT while usage of statins and plasma level of APN were negatively correlated with CIMT as analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. After 24 months' follow-up, the progression of CIMT was the most prominent in the fourth quartile of baseline Hs-CRP/APN ratio. In addition, the incidence of composite cardiovascular endpoint was also higher in the fourth quartile as compared to the other 3 lower quartiles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hs-CRP/APN ratio was a useful predictor to discriminate subjects who were at increased risk of atherosclerosis progression.
authors: Huocheng
authors: H
authors: Liao
authors: Zhiming
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Dongdan
authors: D
authors: Zheng
authors: Jianping
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Chun
authors: C
authors: Xiao
authors: Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular Department, Dongying People's Hospital of Shandong Province, NO,137, Nanyi Road, Dongying, Shangdong Province, China. guang99@vip.sina.com.
authors: Hongguang
authors: H
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein