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Updated: Jul 5, 2025
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Thrombospondin-1 associated with carotid intima-media thickness among individuals with hypertension
Hsiu-Fen Lin1,2, Meng-Ni Wu1,2,3, Chien-Yuan Chen3
1Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Insights
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) correlates with atherosclerosis, particularly in hypertensive individuals. High TSP-1 levels are linked to increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), suggesting TSP-1 as a potential marker for atherosclerosis risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarker Discovery
- Atherosclerosis Pathogenesis
Background:
- Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is implicated in atherosclerotic pathogenesis through in vivo and in vitro studies.
- The clinical significance of TSP-1 in human atherosclerosis remains largely undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between circulating TSP-1 levels and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
- To examine potential interactions between TSP-1 and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in relation to carotid IMT.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 587 participants, measuring carotid IMT and TSP-1 levels.
- TSP-1 dichotomized by median; carotid IMT averaged from bilateral measurements.
- Analysis of covariance models used to assess main and interaction effects.
Main Results:
- Higher carotid IMT observed in participants with high TSP-1 compared to those with low TSP-1 (0.74 ± 0.12 vs 0.72 ± 0.11 mm; p = 0.011).
- Significant interaction effect between TSP-1 and hypertension on carotid IMT (adjusted F = 8.760; p = 0.003).
- Individuals with both hypertension and high TSP-1 exhibited significantly higher IMT (adjusted p = 0.007).
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first clinical evidence linking TSP-1 to atherosclerosis.
- TSP-1 may serve as a critical biomarker for heightened atherosclerosis susceptibility, especially in hypertensive patients.
Abstract:
In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is involved in atherosclerotic pathogenesis. However, the role of TSP-1 in clinical atherosclerosis remains unknown. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between TSP-1 and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and examined whether it interacts with conventional cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 587 participants were enrolled from February 2018 to December 2021. TSP-1 was dichotomized based on median value. Carotid IMT was measured bilaterally in each segment, and the average value was taken as the overall IMT variable. Analysis of covariance models were used to ascertain the main and interaction effects of cardiovascular risk factors and circulating TSP-1 levels on carotid IMT. Those with high TSP-1 (n = 294) had significantly higher carotid IMT than did those with low TSP-1 (n = 293; 0.74 ± 0.12 vs 0.72 ± 0.11 mm; p = 0.011). After the combined effects of TSP-1 and vascular risk factors on carotid IMT were evaluated, an interaction effect on IMT was observed between TSP-1 and hypertension (adjusted F = 8.760; p = 0.003). Stratification analysis revealed that individuals with hypertension and high TSP-1 had significantly higher IMT than did those with low TSP-1 (adjusted p = 0.007). However, this difference was not observed in normotensive individuals (adjusted p = 0.636). In conclusion, this is the first study to provide clinical data supporting the correlation between TSP-1 and atherosclerosis. TSP-1 may be a crucial marker of increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis in individuals with hypertension.
