Association between Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-1 and arterial stiffness in metabolic syndrome

Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-1 ratio (Apo B/Apo A-1) is known to be associated with atherosclerotic vascular disease. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio and arterial stiffness, thus we investigated the relationships between Apo B/Apo A-1 and arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

1252 subjects with MetS according to the Adult Treatment Panel III were enrolled in our study. Anthropometric profiles and serum concentrations of Apo B, Apo A-1, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was evaluated to assess arterial stiffness.

The subjects were stratified into four groups according to their Apo B/Apo A-1 ratios. PWV gradually increased according to Apo B/Apo A-1 quartiles. After adjusting for age, arterial stiffness was significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, FPG, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), Apo B and Apo B/Apo A-1. In multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for risk factors, Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio was a significant contributor to increased PWV.

These results suggest that Apo B/Apo A-1 is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with MetS.