Increased serum chemerin levels associated with carotid intima-media thickness

ABSTRACT

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.

RESUMO

Introdução: Níveis elevados de chemerin podem prever doenças cerebrovasculares isquêmicas futuras. Embora se acredite que a chemerin desempenhe um papel na inflamação aterosclerótica, ainda não foi determinado se os níveis circulantes de chemerin estão associados à gravidade da aterosclerose Objetivos: Por meio do uso da ultrassonografia Doppler da carótida, nosso objetivo neste estudo foi investigar as relações dos níveis séricos de chemerin com a espessura da íntima-média da carótida (EIMC) como um indicador de aterosclerose generalizada. Métodos: Este estudo comparou 40 pacientes com AVC isquêmico e 40 indivíduos saudáveis. As medidas foram feitas no final da diástole usando ultrassonografia Doppler em cores (USDC), após um intervalo de descanso de 5 minutos em um quarto silencioso e escuro. A EIMC foi definida como a distância entre a borda mais interna do eco luminal e a borda mais interna do eco da mídia/adventícia. EIMC foi medido na parede posterior de ambas as artérias carótidas comuns dentro de 1 cm proximalmente ao bulbo. Três medições foram feitas em ambos os lados e a medição média foi tomada como o EIMC. Os níveis séricos de chemerin foram determinados em todos os pacientes e indivíduos saudáveis. Resultados: Os níveis séricos de chemerin foram significativamente maiores no grupo de pacientes do que no grupo controle (p=0,004). Os níveis séricos de chemerin foram positivamente correlacionados com EIMC (p<0,05). Houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em relação à EIMC (p<0,001). Conclusão: Níveis séricos elevados de chemerin parecem estar associados com a EIMC, sugerindo que existe uma ligação entre chemerin e doença cerebrovascular isquêmica aterosclerótica.

Keywords:

Chemerin Protein - Stroke - Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Palavras-chave:

Chemerin - Acidente Vascular Cerebral - Espessura Intima-Media Carotídea

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