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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Implantation of a Carotid Cuff for Triggering Shear-stress Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice
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Cystatin C is Associated With Plaque Phenotype and Plaque Burden

Yufeng Wen1, Dan Xia, Yanchun Wang

  • 1School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, China.

Kidney & Blood Pressure Research
|March 25, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Serum cystatin C impacts carotid artery plaque stability differently based on kidney function. It may stabilize plaques with normal kidney function but predicts risk in mild impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • The interplay between carotid artery plaque characteristics and serum cystatin C levels across varying renal function statuses remains incompletely understood.
  • Investigating this relationship is crucial for understanding atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the association between carotid artery plaque burden, plaque phenotype, and serum cystatin C levels in patients with normal and impaired renal function.
  • To determine if serum cystatin C acts as a risk factor or protective marker in different renal function categories.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 1,477 patients, collecting demographic data, carotid ultrasonography, and serum cystatin C levels.
  • Statistical analysis stratified by renal function (normal vs. mild impairment) to assess the relationship between serum cystatin C and carotid plaque burden/phenotype.

Main Results:

  • Serum cystatin C was a risk factor for stable carotid plaque in patients with normal renal function (OR=2.05).
  • In mild renal impairment, serum cystatin C was a risk factor for both stable (OR=1.60) and unstable plaques (OR=1.21).
  • A nonlinear relationship was observed between serum cystatin C and plaque burden, with increasing burden noted when cystatin C levels ranged from 0.75-1.30 mg/L.

Conclusions:

  • Serum cystatin C may promote plaque stability in individuals with normal renal function.
  • In patients with mildly impaired renal function, serum cystatin C serves as a significant risk predictor for both stable and unstable carotid plaques.
  • These findings highlight the differential role of serum cystatin C in carotid atherosclerosis based on renal function status.
Abstract

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