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Serum ferritin levels in subjects at high risk of atherosclerosis
12nd Department of Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Insights
Elevated serum ferritin levels were observed in individuals with high atherosclerosis risk factors. This finding suggests a potential link between higher ferritin and increased cardiovascular disease risk in at-risk populations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Serum ferritin, an iron storage protein, has been implicated in various inflammatory processes.
- The role of serum ferritin in individuals with multiple atherosclerosis risk factors requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum ferritin levels between individuals at high risk for atherosclerosis and a control group.
- To investigate potential sex-specific differences in serum ferritin levels related to atherosclerosis risk.
Main Methods:
- A community-based study involving 148 high-risk subjects and 148 matched controls.
- Risk assessment based on non-HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, medical history, and family predisposition.
- Serum ferritin levels measured and compared between groups using statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Mean serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to controls (263.4 vs. 198.3 µg/l, p < 0.05).
- Elevated serum ferritin was also observed in high-risk men (361.8 vs. 286.4 µg/l, p < 0.05) and postmenopausal women (184.1 vs. 126.7 µg/l, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Higher serum ferritin levels are associated with a higher risk profile for atherosclerosis.
- Serum ferritin may serve as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Abstract:
Serum ferritin levels were determined in a group of 148 subjects drawn from a community study who were found to be at high risk of atherosclerosis (evaluated on the basis of the following data: levels of non-HDL cholesterol, arterial pressure, smoking status, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease in a subject's history, diabetes mellitus, a positive family predisposition to, or accumulation of the above factors) and compared with the levels obtained in a control group of 148 examined age- and sex-matched subjects from the same community with non-significant risk factors. Mean serum ferritin levels were higher in the whole risk group and in the subgroups of risk men and postmenopausal women than in the corresponding controls (the whole risk group: 263.4 +/- 218.5 micrograms/l vs. 198.3 +/- 179.5 micrograms/l, p < 0.05; the subgroup of men 361.8 +/- 235.7 micrograms/l vs. 286.4 +/- 194.6 micrograms/l, p < 0.05 and the subgroup of postmenopausal women 184.1 +/- 143.1 vs. 126.7 +/- 108.4 micrograms/l, p < 0.05).