title: Leukocyte subtype counts and its association with vascular structure and function in adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk. MARK study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relationship between leukocyte subtype counts and vascular structure and function based on carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, central augmentation index and cardio-ankle vascular index by gender in intermediate cardiovascular risk patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study analyzed 500 subjects who were included in the MARK study, aged 35 to 74 years (mean: 60.3±8.4), 45.6% women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brachial ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (ba-PWV) estimate by equation, Cardio-AnkleVascular Index (CAVI) using the VaSera device and Carotid ultrasound was used to measure carotid Intima Media Thickness (IMT). The Mobil-O-Graph was used to measure the Central Augmentation Index (CAIx).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total leukocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts were positively correlated with IMT (p < 0.01) in men. Monocyte count was positively correlated with CAIx in women (p < 0.01). In a multiple linear regression analysis, the IMT mean maintained a positive association with the neutrophil count (β = 1.500, p = 0.007) in men. CAIx maintained a positive association with the monocyte count (β = 2.445, p = 0.022) in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that the relationship between subtype circulating leukocyte counts and vascular structure and function, although small, may be different by gender. In men, the neutrophil count was positively correlated with IMT and in women, the monocyte count with CAIx, in a large sample of intermediate-risk patients. These association were maintained after adjusting for age and other confounders.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01428934.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gomez-Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Salamanca, Spain; Castilla and León Health Service (SACyL), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Medicine Department, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Salamanca, Spain; Castilla and León Health Service (SACyL), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: José I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Recio-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Salamanca, Spain; Castilla and León Health Service (SACyL), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Statistics Department, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Patino-Alonso
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Salamanca, Spain; Castilla and León Health Service (SACyL), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agudo-Conde
authors.affiliation: San Agustín Health Center, Isles Baleares Health Service (IBSALUT), Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rigo
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Family Medicine, Jordi Gol Institute for Primary Care Research (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Girona, Spain; Translab Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Dr. Trueta University Hospital, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Family Medicine, Jordi Gol Institute for Primary Care Research (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Girona, Spain; Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Dr. Trueta University Hospital, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martí
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, The Alamedilla Health Center, Salamanca, Spain; Castilla and León Health Service (SACyL), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Medicine Department, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gomez-Marcos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*