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Association between carotid arterial remodeling and plasma concentration of circulating hepatocyte growth factor
Y Yamamoto1, K Kohara, Y Tabara
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Plasma hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) increases with carotid arterial remodeling in healthy individuals. This suggests HGF may play a role in early atherosclerosis development, independent of traditional risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarkers in Atherosclerosis
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Elevated circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is linked to overt atherosclerotic disease.
- The association between HGF levels and early atherosclerotic changes in healthy individuals is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between plasma HGF concentration and carotid arterial remodeling.
- Investigate HGF as a potential early marker for atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma HGF in 201 medication-free, healthy residents.
- Assessed carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and internal diameter via ultrasonography.
- Categorized participants based on carotid atherosclerosis (IMT ≥ 0.85 mm) and dilatation (diameter ≥ 7.0 mm).
Main Results:
- Higher plasma HGF concentrations correlated with carotid arterial remodeling (atherosclerosis and/or dilatation).
- HGF levels were associated with older age, smoking, and diabetes.
- Multiple regression confirmed HGF's independent association with remodeling, alongside age and systolic blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Plasma HGF concentration increases with carotid arterial remodeling in healthy individuals.
- HGF elevation is independent of common atherosclerosis risk factors.
- Findings support a potential role for HGF in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Background:
Several studies have reported that the circulating concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was increased in individuals with clinically overt atherosclerotic disease, including coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. However, whether changes in the circulating concentration of HGF are associated with early atherosclerotic changes in apparently healthy individuals remains to be determined.
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between the plasma concentration of HGF and carotid arterial remodeling.
Methods:
Plasma concentrations of HGF were measured in 201 community-dwelling healthy residents free from any medications and signs and history of cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid internal diameter were determined by ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz probe. The study participants were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of carotid atherosclerosis (presence of plaque, IMT > or = 0.85 mm) and carotid arterial dilatation (diameter > or = 7.0 mm).
Results:
Carotid arterial remodeling, atherosclerosis or dilatation, or combinations thereof, was associated with significantly greater concentrations of plasma HGF. Among risk factors, plasma HGF was significantly associated with advanced age (> or = 65 years), current smoking and diabetes mellitus, whereas sex, obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia did not affect plasma concentrations of HGF. Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma HGF was independently associated with carotid arterial remodeling (atherosclerosis, dilatation, or both) in addition to age and systolic blood pressure.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that the plasma concentration of HGF increases in relation to carotid arterial remodeling, independently of known risk factors for atherosclerosis. These findings further support a possible role of HGF in atherosclerosis.