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Increased serum chemerin levels associated with carotid intima-media thickness
Caner Feyzi Demir1, İklimya Nimet Ataş2, Ferhat Balgetir1
1Firat University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Elazig, Turkey.
Insights
Elevated chemerin levels are linked to increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of atherosclerosis. This suggests chemerin may play a role in the development of cerebrovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chemerin, a protein, is implicated in inflammatory processes contributing to atherosclerosis.
- While elevated chemerin predicts ischemic cerebrovascular disease, its association with atherosclerosis severity is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum chemerin levels and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).
- To assess chemerin's role in generalized atherosclerosis using CIMT as a biomarker.
Main Methods:
- Carotid Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure CIMT in 40 ischemic stroke patients and 40 controls.
- Serum chemerin levels were quantified in all participants.
- CIMT measurements were standardized and averaged from both common carotid arteries.
Main Results:
- Serum chemerin levels were significantly higher in stroke patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.004).
- A positive correlation was observed between serum chemerin levels and CIMT (p<0.05).
- Carotid intima-media thickness was significantly greater in the patient group (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum chemerin levels are associated with increased CIMT.
- Findings suggest a potential link between chemerin and the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
Background:
Elevated levels of chemerin can predict future ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Although chemerin is thought to play a role in atherosclerotic inflammation, whether circulating chemerin levels are associated with the severity of atherosclerosis remains to be determined.
Objectives:
Through the use of carotid Doppler ultrasonography, our aim in this study was to investigate the relationships of serum chemerin levels with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as an indicator of generalized atherosclerosis.
Methods:
This study compared 40 patients with ischemic stroke and 40 healthy subjects. Measurements were made at end-diastole using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) after a 5-min rest interval in a quiet and dark room. CIMT was defined as the distance between the innermost edge of the luminal echo to the innermost edge of the media/adventitia echo. CIMT was measured in the posterior wall of both common carotid arteries within 1 cm proximally to the bulbus. Three measurements were made on both sides and the average measurement was taken as the CIMT. Serum chemerin levels were determined in all patients and healthy subjects.
Results:
Serum chemerin levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.004). Serum chemerin levels were positively correlated with CIMT (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups with regard to CIMT (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Elevated serum chemerin levels appear to be associated with CIMT, thus suggesting that a link exists between chemerin and atherosclerotic ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
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