Abstract
Objective
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components accelerate age-associated increases in
arterial stiffness and thickness. We investigated whether specific proinflammatory
cytokines contribute to arterial aging, independent of age, sex, MetS, and other traditional
CV risk factors.
Research design and methods
MetS components (ATP III criteria) and arterial properties were assessed in 6148 subjects,
aged 14–102 in Sardinia, Italy. Common carotid artery (CCA) diameter, intima-media
thickness (IMT), and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), adiponectin, leptin, high-sensitivity
C reactive protein (hsCRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and interleukin
6 (IL6) were measured.
Results
While cytokine levels – except for MCP1 – were significantly higher (lower for adiponectin)
in MetS than in control subjects, and the increased PWV and CCA IMT with aging were
associated with MetS, this association was independent of cytokine levels (p < 0.001 for both PWV and CCA IMT). Specific cytokines, however, were significantly associated
with arterial stiffness (higher leptin, p < 0.001, and higher hsCRP, p < 0.001) or thickness (lower adiponectin, p < 0.05, and higher IL6, p < 0.001) – independent of age, sex, MetS and other traditional CV risk factors. The
co-occurrence of both MetS and higher cytokines levels was associated with greater
increases in arterial stiffness and thickness.
Conclusion
While MetS and specific cytokine patterns associated with arterial aging, the increases
in arterial stiffness and thickness are greater when both MetS and higher cytokine
levels are present, suggesting a possible synergistic effect of MetS and inflammation
on the arterial wall.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 18, 2011
Accepted:
December 20,
2010
Received in revised form:
December 15,
2010
Received:
November 22,
2010
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
