Relationship between the Plasma Fibulin-1 Levels,Pulse Wave Velocity,and Vascular Age in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

Fibulin-1(FBLN-1),an elastin-associated extracellular matrix protein,has been found in blood and may play a role in the pathophysiological processes leading to cardiovascular disease(CVD).We aimed to investigate the relationship between fibulin-1 levels and the risk of CVD by evaluating vascular age derived from the Framingham Heart Study and brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity(baPWV)in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia(AHU).In total,66 patients with AHU and 66 gender-and age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled.The plasma fibulin-1 levels were measured by immunochemistry.Patients with AHU presented significantly higher vascular age[median(interquartile range):54(22)vs.48(14)years,P=0.01]and baPWV[mean±SD:1373±223 vs.1291±177 cm/s,P=0.02]than the healthy subjects;however,no significant difference was observed in the plasma fibulin-1 level between the patients with AHU and healthy subjects[median(interquartile range):4018(3838)vs.3099(3405)ng/mL,P=0.31].A correlation between fibulin-1 levels and baPWV was observed only in patients with AHU(r=0.29,P=0.02);and there was also a suggestively statistically significant correlation between fibulin-1 levels and vascular age(r=0.22,P=0.08).However,these associations were rendered insignificant after adjustments for potential confounders.In healthy subjects,no correlation was observed between fibulin-1 levels and CVD risk.This study reveals that plasma fibulin-1 levels may reflect the CVD risk in patients with AHU,but the relationship is not robust.