Resting heart rate is associated with novel plasma atherosclerosis biomarkers

Resting heart rate (RHR) is a strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Both soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (sLRP1) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) are novel plasma biomarkers for atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the potential associations between RHR and plasma sLRP1 and sRAGE levels and whether any associations might be modified by apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carrier status.

This cross-sectional study included 941 apparently healthy adults aged 40 years or older. Plasma sLRP1 and sRAGE levels were measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. APOE gene polymorphisms were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing.

RHR was a significant determinant of log-transformed sLRP1 (β = 0.004; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.002-0.007; P = 0.001) and log-transformed sRAGE (β = 0.005; 95% CI, 0.002-0.007; P <0.001) independently of age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, lifestyle, and medical history. Additionally, APOE ε4 carrier status was inversely associated with log-transformed plasma sLRP1 level (β = -0.072; 95% CI, -0.130 to -0.015; P = 0.01) and did not modify the relationship between RHR and plasma sLRP1 level.

An elevated RHR was associated with increased sLRP1 and sRAGE values, which was not modified by APOE genotype. The underlying mechanism of this effect may be relevant to the progression of atherosclerosis.