Plasma homocysteine levels are independently associated with alterations of large artery stiffness in men but not in women

Objectives To investigate the associations of the plasma homocysteine levels with the alterations in arterial stiffness in a commu- nity-based cohort. The gender differences in these associations were examined. Methods We evaluated the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels to three measures of vascular ftmction [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （CF-PWV）, carotid-ankle PWV （CA-PWV） and heart rate corrected augmentation index （AI）] in 1680 participants （mean age： 61.5 years; 709 men, 971 women） from communities of Beijing, China. Results In univariate analysis, plasma homocysteine levels was positively related to the CF-PWV （r = 0.211, P 〈 0.0001） and CA-PWV （r = 0.148, P 〈 0.0001）, whereas inversely associated with AI （r = -0.052, P = 0.016）. In multiple linear regression models adjusting for covariants, plasma homocysteine remained positively related to the CF-PWV （standardized 13 = 0.065, P = 0.007） in total cases. When the groups of men and women were examined separately, plasma homocysteine remained positively associated with the CF-PWV （standardized β = 0.082, P = 0.023） in men, whereas the relations between homocysteine and any of the arterial stiffness indices were not further present in women. Conclusions In Chinese population, plasma homocysteine levels are independently associated with alterations of large artery stiffness in men but not in women.

Pilot study on the effect of flavonoids on arterial stiffness and oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Flavonoids,the main class of polyphenols,exhibit antioxidant and antihypertensive properties.AIM To prospectively investigate the impact of flavonoids on arterial stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)stagesⅠ-Ⅳ.METHODS In this prospective,single-arm study,CKD patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus were enrolled.Baseline demographic,clinical,and laboratory variables were recorded.Patients received daily treatment with a phenol-rich dietary supplement for 3 months.Blood pressure,arterial stiffness(carotidfemoral pulse wave velocity,central pulse pressure),and oxidative stress markers(protein carbonyls,total phenolic compound,total antioxidant capacity)were measured at baseline and at study end.RESULTS Sixteen patients(mean age:62.5 years,87.5%male)completed the study.Following intervention,peripheral systolic blood pressure decreased significantly by 14 mmHg(P<0.001).Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity decreased from 8.9 m/s(baseline)to 8.2 m/s(study end)(P<0.001),and central pulse pressure improved from 59 mmHg to 48 mmHg(P=0.003).Flavonoids also reduced oxidative stress markers including protein carbonyls(P<0.001),total phenolic compound(P=0.001),and total antioxidant capacity(P=0.013).CONCLUSION Flavonoid supplementation in CKD patients shows promise in improving blood pressure,arterial stiffness,and oxidative stress markers.

Association between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Arterial Stiffness: The China-PAR Project

Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable intake and arterial stiffness.Methods We conducted a cohort-based study comprising 6,628 participants with arterial stiffness information in the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China(China-PAR)project. A semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess baseline(2007–2008) and recent(2018–2021) fruit and vegetable intake. We assessed changes in fruit and vegetable intake from2007–2008 to 2018–2021 in 6,481 participants. Arterial stiffness was measured using the arterial velocity–pulse index(AVI) and arterial pressure-volume index(API). Elevated AVI and API values were defined according to diverse age reference ranges.Results Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models revealed that every 100 g/d increment in fruit and vegetable intake was associated with a 0.11 decrease in AVI(B =-0.11;95% confidence interval [CI]:-0.20,-0.02) on average, rather than API(B = 0.02;95% CI:-0.09, 0.13). The risk of elevated AVI(odds ratio [OR] = 0.82;95% CI: 0.70, 0.97) is 18% lower in individuals with high intake(≥ 500 g/d) than in those with low intake(< 500 g/d). Furthermore, maintaining a high intake in the past median of 11.5years of follow-up was associated with an even lower risk of elevated AVI compared with a low intake at both baseline and follow-up(OR = 0.64;95% CI: 0.49, 0.83).Conclusion Fruit and vegetable intake was negatively associated with arterial stiffness, emphasizing recommendations for adherence to fruit and vegetable intake for the prevention of arterial stiffness.

Increased Risk of Arterial Stiffness in Rhumatoid Arthritis Patients in a Sub-Saharan African Setting

Background: Analysis of arterial stiffness (AS) is a good marker of early arterial disease and an important determinant of cardiovascular risk, independent of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CfPWV) is the gold standard to evaluate arterial stiffness. There is evidence that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher arterial stiffness than their age-matched healthy counterparts and thus have higher cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, data on arterial stiffness in African rheumatoid arthritis patients is scarce. Objectives: To determine the patterns of arterial stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis patients in a sub-Saharan African setting, using CfPWV and Augmentation index (AIx). Method: We conducted a case-control study, at the Douala general hospital over four months (February to May 2018) on 63 subjects among which 31 RA patients matched for age and sex with 32 healthy subjects. AIx and CfPWV were determined non-invasively by radial pulse wave analysis and carotid femoral wave analysis respectively, using a sphygmocor Atcor device (SphygmoCor, PWV Medical, Sydney, Australia). Results: The mean age of RA patients was 47 ± 14 years with most of them being females (n = 26, 83.9%). CfPWV was significantly higher in RA patients compared to the control group (mean: 8.85 ± 2.1 vs 7.45 ± 1.38;p ≤ 0.01) as well as was AIx (Median: 33 [26 - 43] vs 26 [20 - 31];p = 0.01). RA (OR: 6.105;95% CI: 1.52 - 24.54;p 1.34;95% CI: 1.14 - 5.17;p = 0.05), elevated CRP levels (OR: 4.01;95% CI: 1.16 - 13.68;p = 0.03) and Hypertension (OR: 5.75;95% CI: 1.24 -11.60;p Conclusion: Arterial stiffness, a well-recognized marker of cardiovascular risk is increased among patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis when compared to a healthy control group.

The Impact of Finerenone on Changes in Pulse Wave Velocity, Arterial Pressure and Heart Related Deaths in Hemodialysis Patients—Study Perspective

The description in the abstract lacks clear logic and a comprehensive summary of this study, so please revise and improve it according to the design theme and main content of this study, and describe it in the order of (research background), purpose/aim, method, results and conclusions. The introduction of the abstract and preface is rather lengthy, but the summary of the whole study and the presentation of the research background are not perfect (mainly because the logic of the context is not clear and orderly), so it will appear a bit messy. Hope to be able to modify (this has been mentioned in the preliminary opinion). Cardiovascular events (CVE) pose a significant threat to individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), yet these patients are often excluded from cardiovascular clinical trials, leaving prognostic factors associated with CVE in ESRD patients largely unexplored. Recent human studies have demonstrated elevated circulating aldosterone levels in ESRD patients, correlating with left ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, animal models have shown improvements in uremic cardiomyopathy with spironolactone therapy, prompting interest in assessing the efficacy of spironolactone or eplerenone in reducing mortality and improving cardiovascular function in dialysis patients. Clinicians have historically been cautious about prescribing mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) to congestive heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to hyperkalemia risk. However, the emergence of finerenone, a novel MR antagonist with a favorable safety profile and lower hyperkalemia risk, has renewed interest in MRA therapy in this population. Heart disease, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and left ventricular failure, is alarmingly prevalent in dialysis patients, contributing significantly to elevated mortality rates compared to the general population. Arterial stiffness, as indicated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), progressively worsens with advancing CKD stages, peaking in severity among ESRD patients undergoing dialysis. High PWV serves as a crucial risk stratification tool in ESRD. Elevated NT-proBNP and BNP levels in ESRD patients are well-documented, with significant associations observed between baseline peptide concentrations and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. By incorporating finerenone into our study, we aim to investigate its potential benefits in reducing arterial stiffness, lowering blood pressure, and ultimately mitigating heart-related mortality among hemodialysis patients. This study holds substantial implications for hypertension and cardiovascular risk management in this vulnerable patient population. Eligible participants must have been on chronic hemodialysis for at least three months, with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers included in their therapy at maximum tolerable doses. Serum potassium levels 5.7 mmol/L, left ventricular ejection fraction 50%, and PWV higher than age-estimated values are also prerequisites for study entry. Randomized allocation will be conducted using a permuted block design, stratified by center, with allocation communicated via signed study forms during initial examinations. All steps of this research will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration.

Association between serum homocysteine and arterial stiffness in elderly： a community-based study

Background Arterial stiffness and homocysteine are both powerful predictors of cardiovascular disease, especially in older popula tions. Previous studies have investigated the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in human subjects, while the relationship between homocysteine and arterial stiffness in the elderly is still indefinite. The current study examined the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-based elderly persons. Methods We related serum levels of homocysteine to two measures of arte- rial stiffness （carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWV） and carotid-radial PWV） in 780 participants （46.3% men, mean age 71.9 years （ranging 65-96 years old）） from two communities of Beijing, China. Arterial stiffness were measured within two days of the time of bio- marker measurement. Results In multiple-adjusted models, homocysteine levels was strongly associated with the carotid-femoral PWV （standardized 13 = 0.13, P 〈 0.001）, even after adjustment for classical risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The association is also stronger when the carotid-femoral PWV is elevated above normal, whereas no significant association with homocysteine was observed for ca-rotid-radial PWV. Conclusions In Chinese elderly persons, serum homocysteine levels are associated with alterations of aortic stiffness.

Association between serum homocysteine and arterial stiffness：role of anti-hypertensive drugs

To the Editor I read the article of Zhang, et al. with great interest. They investigated the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-based elderly persons. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWV） was significantly higher in the high homocyteine group than in the normal one, however, there was no differences in carotid-radial PWV between the high homocyteine group and the normal one. Homocysteine levels were strongly associated with the carotidfemoral PWV even after adjustment for classical risk factors of cardiovascular disease. I congratulate the authors for this important study. However, I want to make minor criticism for this study from the methodological aspect.

Increased Arterial Stiffness in Subjects with Pre-diabetes among Middle Aged Population in Beijing,China

Objective To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and pre-diabetes when assessed by the new glycosylated hemoglobin Ale （HbAlc） 5.7%-6.4% criterion or by impaired fasting glucose in middle aged Chinese. Methods 1122 adults aged 55 years or younger in the health examination centers for physical check-ups were enrolled in the two large-sized Tertiary Comprehensive Hospitals in Beijing from June 2011 to June 2012 after excluding those who previously had been diagnosed or treated as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Subjects with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes according to impaired fasting glucose （IFG） （fasting plasma glucose （FPG） levels at 5.6-6.9 mmol/L）, HbA^c levels at 5.7%-6.4%, or both, were classified into four groups for observation： （1） Normoglycaemia （HbA^c〈5.7% and FPG 〈5.6 mmol/L）; （2） IFG alone （FPG levels at 5.6-6.9 mmol/L and HbA1c〈5.7% ）; （3） HbAI~ 5.7%-6.4% alone （HbA^c levels at 5.7%-6.4% and FPG 〈5.6 mmol/L）; and （4） both HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% and IFG （l-lbA1~ levels at 5.7%-6.4% and FPG levels at 5.6-6.9 mmol/L）. All subjects were measured for weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity （baPWV）. Results The mean values of baPWV were 1282±8, 1311±10, 1398±30, and 1418_±27 cm/s （Mean_±SE） in Normoglycaemia, HbA~ 5.7%-6.4% alone, IFG alone and the both HbAlc 5.7%-6.4% and IFG groups, respectively. After adjusting for age, gender, blood pressure, BMI and triglyceride, baPWV was significantly higher in subjects with both HbAlc5.7%-6.4% and iFG compared among the subjects with Normoglycaemia （1350±14 vs. 1301±6 cm/s, P=0.002） and HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% alone （1350±14 vs. 1309±8 cm/s, P=0.013）.Conclusion Subjects with pre-diabetes exhibited a greater arterial stiffness.

Association of glomerular filtration rate with arterial stiffness in Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function

Objective Both decreased glomemlar filtration rate （GFR） and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR 〉 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWVcf） and carotid-radial PWV （PWVcr） using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/minutes （AIx-75） was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties. Results The mean estimated GFR （eGFR） of the study group was 100.05 ＋ 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVef and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AJx-75. Conclusions In Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.

Albuminuria as a marker of arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease patients

AIM： To access the association between albuminuria levels and arterial stiffness in non-diabetic patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease （CKD） stages 1-2, treated with renin angiotensin blockade agents plus other hypertensive drugs when needed.METHODS： One hundred fifteen patients [median age 52 years （68% males）] were consequently enrolled in the study. For each patient, we recorded gender, age, body mass index （BMI）, peripheral systolic blood pressure （pSBP）, peripheral diastolic blood pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, central systolic blood pressure （cSBP）, central diastolic blood pressure （cDBP）, central pulse pressure （cPP）, hematocrit, hemoglobin, hsCRP, total cholesterol triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-C, low-density lipoprotein-C, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, and albumin, as well as 24 h urine albumin excretion. According to 24-h urine albumin collection, patients were then classified as those with moderately increased albuminuria （formerly called macroalbuminuria） （≤ 300 mg/d） and those with severely increased albuminuria （formerly called macroaluminuria （〉 300 mg/d）. We considered aortic stiffness （AS） indices [carotid femoral pulse wave velocity （PWVc-f） and augmentation index （AIx）] as primary outcomes of the study. We explored potential correlations between severely increased albuminuria and AS indices using a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS： Fifty-eight patients were included in the moderately increased albuminuria group and 57 in the severely increased albuminuria. Blood pressure measurements of the study population were 138 ± 14/82 ± 1.3 mmHg （systolic/diastolic）. There were no significant differences in age, sex, and BP measurements between the two groups. Patients with severely increased albuminuria had higher PWV and AIx than patients with moderately increased albuminuria （P 〈 0.02, P 〈 0.004, respectively）. In addition these patients exhibited higher BMI （P 〈 0.03）, hsCRP （P 〈 0.001）, and fibrinogen levels （P 〈 0.02） compared to patients with moderately increased albuminuria. In multivariate linear regression analysis, severely increased albuminuria （β = 1.038, P 〈 0.010） pSBP （β = 0.028, P 〈 0.034） and Ht （β = 0.171, P = 0.001） remained independent determinants of the increased PWVc-f. Similarly, severely increased albuminuria （β = 4.385, P 〈 0.012）, cSBP （β = 0.242, P 〈 0.001）, cPP （β = 0.147, P 〈 0.01） and Ht levels （β = 0.591, P 〈 0.013） remained independent determinants of increased AIx.CONCLUSION： These fndings demonstrate an independent association between AS indices and severely increased albuminuria in non-diabetic, hypertensive patients with CKD stages 1-2 treated with renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockers.

Arterial stiffness, vascular calcification and bone metabolism in chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease （CKD） have an extremely poor cardiovascular outcome. Arterial stiff-ness, a strong independent predictor of survival in CKD, is connected to arterial media calcification. A huge number of different factors contribute to the increased arterial calcification and stiffening in CKD, a process which is in parallel with impaired bone metabolism. This coincidence was demonstrated to be part of the direct inhibition of calcifcation in the vessels, which is a counterbalancing effect but also leads to low bone turnover. Due to the growing evidence, the defnition of “CKD mineral bone disorder” was created recently, un-derlining the strong connection of the two phenomena. In this review, we aim to demonstrate the mechanisms leading to increased arterial stiffness and the up-to date data of the bone-vascular axis in CKD. We over-view a list of the different factors, including inhibitors of bone metabolism like osteoprotegerin, fetuin-A, pyro-phosphates, matrix Gla protein, osteopontin, fbroblast growth factor 23 and bone morphogenic protein, which seem to play role in the progression of vascular calcif-cation and we evaluate their connection to impaired ar-terial stiffness in the mirror of recent scientifc results.

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on regional arterial stiffness:Assessment by tissue Doppler imaging

AIM: To evaluate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on regional arterial stiffness assessed by strain rate using tissue Doppler imaging. METHODS: Nineteen eligible patients were prospectively studied (mean age 62 ± 8 years, 68% men). Subjects with large vessel complications and/or diabetes mellitus were excluded. The strain rate of the ascending aorta was measured by tissue Doppler imaging as an index of regional arterial stiffness, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of degree of systemic arteriosclerosis. These indices were compared before and after administration of EPA at 1800 mg/d for one year. RESULTS: The plasma concentration of EPA increased significantly after EPA administration (3.0% ± 1.1% to 8.5% ± 2.9%, P < 0.001). There were no significant changes in baPWV (1765 ± 335 cm/s to 1745 ± 374 cm/s), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (114 ± 29 mg/dL to 108 ± 28 mg/dL), or systolic blood pressure (131 ± 16 mmHg to 130 ± 13 mmHg) before and after EPA administration. In contrast, the strain rate was significantly increased by administration of EPA (19.2 ± 5.6 s-1, 23.0 ± 6.6 s-1, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: One year of administration of EPA resulted in an improvement in regional arterial stiffness which was independent of blood pressure or serum cholesterol levels.

Radial Applanation Tonometry as an Adjuvant Tool in the Noninvasive Arterial Stiffness and Blood Pressure Assessment

Since antiquity, the human arterial pulse represents an important parameter in the clinical assessment. Besides being routinely assessed in the medical practice, such pulse is not observed in its completeness yet, once many of the data obtained through it cannot be evaluated using conventional methods. Taking into account such methods, the measurement of arterial blood pressure using sphygmomanometry, although broadly widespread in the assessment and follow-up of patients who require accompaniment of their cardiovascular status, is not able to properly guide about parameters related to the central hemodynamic status, the latter most strongly associated with cardiovascular risk. Such incapability is due to the centrifugal augmentation of the pressures taken at different points of the arterial bed, based on the properties of the closed arterial system through which the blood flow travels. In this context, methodologies capable of assessing central parameters estimated using the pulse wave analysis, such as applanation tonometry, represent a promising adjuvant for evaluating patients with cardiovascular diseases, by providing detailed information concerning hemodynamic parameters otherwise inaccessible. In this scenario, the present review focuses on the applanation tonometry and its assessment on the radial artery, highlighting the importance of this method in the cardiovascular assessment, as well as its relevance in the clinical practice, when determining parameters peripherally obtained capable of estimating the central hemodynamic status.

Intensive blood pressure control on arterial stiffness among older patients with hypertension

Background:Arterial stiffening increases with age and blood pressure and is associated with cardiovascular disease(CVD),but the relationship between blood pressure lowering and arterial stiffening is still uncertain,especially in older people.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intensive blood pressure treatment on the progression of arterial stiffness and risk of CVD in older patients with hypertension.Methods:The Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients(STEP)trial was a multicenter,randomized,controlled trial performed at 42 clinical centers throughout China,and 8511 patients aged 60-80 years with essential hypertension were enrolled and randomly assigned to systolic blood pressure(SBP)target of 110 mmHg to<130 mmHg(intensive treatment)or 130 mmHg to<150 mmHg(standard treatment).Patients underwent repeated examinations of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV)and ankle-brachial index(ABI)at baseline,and the arterial stiffness was evaluated at the 3-year follow-up.A total of 5339 patients who had twice repeated measurements were included in this study.Changes in arterial stiffness between the intensive and standard treatment groups were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model.The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the effect of intensive treatment on primary CVD outcomes.Results:The changes in baPWV were 61.5 cm/s(95%confidence interval[CI]:49.8-73.2 cm/s)in the intensive treatment group and 98.4 cm/s(95%CI:86.7-110.1 cm/s)in the standard treatment group(P<0.001).Intensive treatment significantly delayed the progression of arterial stiffness,with an annual change of 23.1 cm·s^(-1)·year-1 vs.36.7 cm·s^(-1)·year^(-1)of baPWV in the intensive and standard treatment groups,respectively.During a median follow-up period of 3.36 years,primary CVD outcomes occurred in 77(2.9%)patients in the intensive treatment group compared with 93(3.5%)in the standard treatment group.Intensive treatment resulted in a significantly lower CVD risk in patients aged 70-80 years or with SBP<140 mmHg.Conclusion:Intensive blood pressure control with an SBP target of 110 mmHg to<130 mmHg could delay the progression of arterial stiffness and reduce the risk of CVD in older patients with hypertension.Clinical trial registration:http://www.clinicaltrials.gov;No.NCT03015311.

Reference values of carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults based on ultrasound radio frequency signal:A nationwide,multicenter study

Background:Carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)and diameter,stiffness,and wave reflections,are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases.The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods:A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults(1922 women)aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022.The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency(RF)ultrasound system.The IMT,diameter,compliance coefficient,βstiffness,local pulse wave velocity(PWV),local systolic blood pressure,augmented pressure(AP),and augmentation index(AIx)were then automatically measured and reported.Data were stratified by age groups and sex.The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions.The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation,multiple linear regression,and analyses of covariance.Results:All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories.Women showed thinner IMT,smaller carotid diameter,larger AP,and AIx than men.Theβstiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties,but the differences reversed after that.The increase rate of carotid IMT(5.5µm/year in women and 5.8µm/year in men)and diameter(0.03 mm/year in both men and women)were similar between men and women.For the stiffness and wave reflections,women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes(all P for age by sex interaction<0.05).The blood pressures,body mass index(BMI),and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex.Conclusions:The age-and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established.The blood pressures,BMI,and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Relationships between use of statins and arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease

Background Statins improve arterial stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease （CAD）.Hypertension is a predominant contributor of arterial stiffening.However,the influence of hypertension on the effect of statins for improving arterial stiffness in CAD patients has seldom been investigated.Therefore,in this study,we investigated the relationships between statin use and arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients.Methods Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity （ba-PWV） was measured in 437 patients,including 220 hypertensive CAD patients （121 used statins,99 did not） and 217 normotensive CAD patients （105 used statins,112 did not）.The normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients were matched according to age,sex,and body mass index （BMI）.Results In the normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients,lipid profiles were significantly improved in the statin group compared with the non-statin group.No significant differences in the administered statins （i.e.,atorvastatin,simvastatin,rosuvastatin,and pravastatin） and statin therapy duration were found between normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients （all P＞0.05）.No significant correlation of ba-PWV and statin therapy duration was found in all CAD patients,normotensive CAD patients,or hypertensive CAD patients （all P＞0.05）.ba-PWV in the statin group was significantly lower than that in the non-statin group in normotensive CAD patients （（1331.68±167.52） cm/s vs.（1468.61±244.54） cm/s,P=0.002） but not in hypertensive CAD patients （P＞0.05）.In multiple linear regression analyses,statin therapy was significantly associated with ba-PWV after adjusting for confounding variables in normotensive CAD patients （P=0.018） but not in hypertensive CAD patients （P＞0.05）.Conclusions Statins may significantly improve arterial stiffness in CAD patients,and hypertension may probably influence the effectiveness of statin therapy in improving arterial stiffness in this population.Further studies are required to investigate the effect of statins on arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients.

Association between arterial stiffness and risk of coronary artery disease in a community-based population

Background Arterial stiffness is well known as an important risk factor for coronary artery disease.In this study,we aimed to investigate the association between carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity （caPWV） and risk of coronary artery disease （CAD）,and the interaction between pulse wave velocity （PWV） and other potential risk factors of CAD.Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted for subjects living in Beijing,China.We collected 213 subjects with coronary artery disease and 1 266 subjects without CAD between September 2007 and January 2009 in a community center of Beijing.A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the odds ratios of factors related to CAD.Results We found CAD subjects were more likely to have a higher body massindex （BMI）,fasting glucose,uric acid,low-density lipoprotein （LDL） cholesterol,high-sensitivity Creactive protein （hs-CRP）,carotic-femoral pulse wave velocity （cfPWV） and caPWV （P ＜0.05）,and CAD subjects had a significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels （P ＜0.05）.Moreover,the proportion of hypertension in CAD subjects was significantly higher than non-CAD subjects.The multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension,higher uric acid,hs-CRP,cfPWV and caPWV levels significantly increased the risk of CAD,with ORs （Cl） of 1.47 （1.25-1.74）,1.17 （1.01-1.26）,1.35 （1.10-1.67）,1.15 （1.09-1.19） and 1.07 （1.01-1.15）,respectively.Higher HDL cholesterol was significantly associated with reduced risk of CAD,with ORs （CI） of 0.58 （0.40-0.83）.In addition,cfPWV had significant association with age,hypertension,LDL cholesterol,with Pearson＇s coefficients of 0.166,0.074,and 0.030,respectively.Conclusions cfPWV and caPWV are independently associated with significant CAD,and cfPWV has significant correlation with age and hypertension.cfPWV and caPWV may be used as a practical tool for predicting the risk of CAD.

Insulin resistance is associated with subclinical vascular disease in humans

Insulin resistance is associated with subclinical vascular disease that is not justified by conventional cardiovascular risk factors,such as smoking or hypercholesterolemia.Vascular injury associated to insulin resistance involves functional and structural damage to the arterial wall that includes impaired vasodilation in response to chemical mediators,reduced distensibility of the arterial wall(arterial stiffness),vascular calcification,and increased thickness of the arterial wall.Vascular dysfunction associated to insulin resistance is present in asymptomatic subjects and predisposes to cardiovascular diseases,such as heart failure,ischemic heart disease,stroke,and peripheral vascular disease.Structural and functional vascular disease associated to insulin resistance is highly predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Its pathogenic mechanisms remain undefined.Prospective studies have demonstrated that animal protein consumption increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and predisposes to type 2 diabetes(T2D)whereas vegetable protein intake has the opposite effect.Vascular disease linked to insulin resistance begins to occur early in life.Children and adolescents with insulin resistance show an injured arterial system compared with youth free of insulin resistance,suggesting that insulin resistance plays a crucial role in the development of initial vascular damage.Prevention of the vascular dysfunction related to insulin resistance should begin early in life.Before the clinical onset of T2D,asymptomatic subjects endure a long period of time characterized by insulin resistance.Latent vascular dysfunction begins to develop during this phase,so that patients with T2D are at increased cardiovascular risk long before the diagnosis of the disease.

Receptor activator of nuclear factorκB ligand/osteoprotegerin axis and vascular calcifications in patients with chronic kidney disease

Vascular calcifications are commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease （CKD） and contri-bute to the excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates observed in these patients populations. Although the pathogenetic mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated, recent evidence suggests a link between bone metabolism and the development and progression of vascular calcifications. Moreover, accumulating data indicate that receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/osteoprotegerin axis which plays essential roles in the regulation of bone metabolism is also involved in extra-osseous bone formation. Further studies are required to establish the prognostic significance of the above biomarkers as predictors of the presence and severity of vascular calcifications in CKD patients and of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Moreover, randomized clinical trials are needed to clarify whether inhibition of osteoclast activity will protect from vascular calcifcations.

Relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and metabolic syndrome components in a Chinese population

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between arterial stiffness, as measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity （baPWV）, and the presence of the metabolic syndrome （MS） in a Chinese population. A total of 4,445 subjects were enrolled. The prevalence of MS in for the general population, males and females, respectively. our study population was 21.7%, 17.2% and 25.6% With adjustments for age, gender, cigarette smoking, heart rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein （LDL） cholesterol, and the use of anti-hypertensive drug, the stepwise regression analysis showed that baPWV had a significant relationship with components of MS, including systolic blood pressure （P 〈 0.001）, diastolic blood pressure （P 〈 0.001）, glucose （P 〈 0.001）, highdensity lipoprotein （HDL） cholesterol （P = 0.04）, and triglycerides （P 〈 0.001）, but no relationship with waist circumference （P = 0.25）. With an increase in the number of the MS components, baPWV increased significantly both in women and men. This study indicated that the MS is indeed a risk factor for arterial stiffness. Monitoring of baPWV in patients with MS may help in identifying persons at high risk for cardiovascular disease.