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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:43
Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
Published on: December 7, 2013
ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and subclinical atherosclerosis
A Panayiotou1, M Griffin, N Georgiou
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus. andriepanayiotou@hotmail.com
Summary
A high apolipoprotein B (ApoB)/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA1) ratio is linked to early atherosclerosis. This ratio also correlates with unstable plaques, indicating increased cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The apolipoprotein B (ApoB)/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA1) ratio is a recognized marker for atherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and clinical cardiovascular disease.
- Subclinical atherosclerosis, an early stage of the disease, requires reliable markers for detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and early subclinical atherosclerosis.
- To determine if ultrasonic measurements of atherosclerosis correlate with the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution ultrasound scans of carotid and femoral bifurcations were performed on 767 volunteers over 40 years old.
- Measurements included intima-media thickness (IMTcc, IMTmax), total plaque thickness (TPT), and plaque burden (BPB) using the Widder classification.
- Fasting lipid profiles, including ApoB and ApoA1 levels, and medical histories were collected.
Main Results:
- The mean ApoB/ApoA1 ratio in the study population was 0.85 (+/-0.22).
- A significant association was found between the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and all ultrasonic measures of early atherosclerosis (IMTcc, IMTmax, TPT, BPB).
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
- A high ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is indicative of early atherosclerosis.
- The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is also associated with hypoechoic plaque, suggesting a link to unstable plaques and increased cardiovascular risk.
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