Positive correlation of serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in geriatric population

Serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein level is positively associated with aortic stiffness in nondialysis chronic kidney disease patients: A cross-sectional study

Aortic stiffness (AS) is a major predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a novel adipokine that is positively correlated with AS in the general population. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between serum A-FABP levels and AS in nondialysis CKD patients. Fasting blood samples and baseline characteristics were obtained in 270 patients with nondialysis CKD. Serum A-FABP concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) measurements were acquired using a validated tonometry system. Patients with cfPWV >10 m/s formed the AS group, while those with values ≤10 m/s comprised the comparison group. Among 270 CKD patients, 92 patients (34.1%) were in the AS group. Compared to those in the comparison group, patients in the AS group were older (P < .001), had a higher prevalence of diabetes, along with higher serum A-FABP level (P < .001), larger waist circumference (P = .004), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .001) but higher levels of body fat mass (P = .010), systolic blood pressure (P < .001), fasting glucose (P = .014), blood urea nitrogen (P = .009), and serum creatinine (P = .004). The serum log-A-FABP level was positively associated with log-cfPWV (β = 0.178, P = .001) in nondialysis CKD patients and multivariable logistic regression analysis identified serum A-FABP (P = .006), age (P = .001), and systolic blood pressure (P = .015) as independent predictors of AS in nondialysis-dependent CKD patients. Elevated A-FABP levels may be a significant predictor of AS in nondialysis CKD patients.

Age and Serum Adipocyte Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein Level Are Associated with Aortic Stiffness in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients

Old age has been proven to be related to progressed arterial or aortic stiffness. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortalities in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Higher serum concentrations of adipocyte fatty-acid-binding protein (A-FABP) could be considered a predictor of aortic stiffness in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus. This study aims to investigate the relationships between A-FABP and aortic stiffness in patients who have received CABG. A total of 84 CABG patients were enrolled in our study from September 2018 to May 2019. Serum A-FABP levels were determined using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Carotid−femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) > 10 m/s was defined as aortic stiffness. Of the 84 CABG patients, 28 (33.3%) with aortic stiffness had a higher average age; exhibited higher rates of diabetes; and had higher serum creatinine, C-reactive protein, and A-FABP levels compared to controls. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that serum A-FABP levels (odds ratio (OR) = 1.068, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.017−1.121, p = 0.008) and age (OR = 1.204, 95% CI 1.067−1.359, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of aortic stiffness. Multivariable stepwise linear regression revealed significant positive correlations of age and A-FABP levels with cfPWV values. Serum A-FABP level is positively correlated with cfPWV values, and a high serum A-FABP level is associated with aortic stiffness in patients who have undergone CABG.

Association between Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein Level and Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is associated with atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction is one of the reasons for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This study investigated the correlation between serum A-FABP levels and endothelial function in HD patients. Fasting blood samples were collected from 90 HD patients. A-FABP levels were measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit. Endothelial function was evaluated by a digital thermal monitoring test to measure vascular reactivity index (VRI). VRI < 1.0, 1.0 ≤ VRI < 2.0, and VRI ≥ 2.0 indicated poor, intermediate, and good vascular reactivity, respectively. In total, 14 (15.6%), 38 (42.2%), and 38 (42.2%) HD patients had poor, intermediate, and good VRI, respectively. Patients with poor VRI had lower pre-HD and post-HD body weight, body mass index, and serum creatinine level but higher serum A-FABP level (p = 0.001) than those with intermediate and good VRI. Log-transformed VRI (log-VRI) positively correlated with serum creatinine and negatively correlated with A-FABP by multivariate linear regression analysis. We concluded that A-FABP correlated with endothelial dysfunction in chronic HD patients.

Adipokines and Arterial Stiffness in Obesity

Adipokines are active molecules with pleiotropic effects produced by adipose tissue and involved in obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Arterial stiffness, which is a consequence of arteriosclerosis, has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of arterial stiffness is complex but incompletely understood. Adipokines dysregulation may induce, by various mechanisms, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular remodeling, leading to increased arterial stiffness. This article summarizes literature data regarding adipokine-related pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development of arterial stiffness, particularly in obesity, as well as the results of clinical and epidemiological studies which investigated the relationship between adipokines and arterial stiffness.

ICT technologies as new promising tools for the managing of frailty: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Frailty is a major health issue as it encompasses functional decline, physical dependence, and increased mortality risk. Recent studies explored Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interventions as alternatives to manage frailty in older persons. The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize current evidence on ICT application within the complex models of frailty care in older people.

METHODS

Data sources included PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Web of Science, considering eligible those reviews on ICT application in samples of older persons formally assessed as frail. Records were screened by two independent researchers, who extracted data and appraised methodological quality of reviews and studies.

RESULTS

Among the 764 retrieved papers, two systematic reviews were included. Most of the studies analyzed defined frailty considering only few components of the phenotype and used ICT to stratify different levels of frailty or to support traditional screening strategies. Assessment of frailty was the context in which ICT has been mostly tested as compared to intervention. Cost effectiveness evaluations of the ICT technologies were not reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The research investigating the use of ICT in the context of frailty is still at the very beginning. Few studies strictly focused on the assessment of frailty, while intervention on frailty using ICT was rarely reported. The lack of a proper characterization of the frail condition along with the methodological limitations prevented the investigation of ICT within complex care models. Future studies are needed to effectively integrate ICT in the care of frailty in orders.

Exploring biomarkers associated with deteriorating vascular health using a targeted proteomics chip: The SABPA study

In this observational study, by the use of a multiplex proteomic platform, we aimed to explore associations between 92 targeted proteins involved in cardiovascular disease and/or inflammation, and phenotypes of deteriorating vascular health, with regards to ethnicity.Proteomic profiling (92 proteins) was carried out in 362 participants from the Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans (SABPA) study of black and white African school teachers (mean age 44.7 ± 9.9 years, 51.9% women, 44.5% Black Africans, 9.9% with known cardiovascular disease). Three proteins with <15% of samples below detectable limits were excluded from analyses. Associations between multiple proteins and prevalence of hypertension as well as vascular health [Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV)] measures were explored using Bonferroni-corrected regression models.Bonferroni-corrected significant associations between 89 proteins and vascular health markers were further adjusted for clinically relevant co-variates. Hypertension was associated with growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and C-X-C motif chemokine 16 (CXCL16). cIMT was associated with carboxypeptidase A1 (CPA1), C-C motif chemokine 15 (CCL15), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 (CD163) and osteoprotegerin, whereas PWV was associated with GDF15, E-selectin, CPA1, fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), CXCL16, carboxypeptidase B (CPB1), and tissue-type plasminogen activator. Upon entering ethnicity into the models, the associations between PWV and CPA1, CPB1, GDF-15, FABP4, CXCL16, and between cIMT and CCL-15, remained significant.Using a multiplex proteomic approach, we linked phenotypes of vascular health with several proteins. Novel associations were found between hypertension, PWV or cIMT and proteins linked to inflammatory response, chemotaxis, coagulation or proteolysis. Further, we could reveal whether the associations were ethnicity-dependent or not.

Positive Associations between Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Level and Central Arterial Stiffness in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) plays essential roles in lipolysis, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum A-FABP levels and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods

This study obtained fasting blood samples from 76 PD patients. A validated tonometry system was used to measure cfPWV. Patients with cfPWV values >10 m/s were classified into the high arterial stiffness group, whereas patients with values ≤10 m/s were classified into the low arterial stiffness group, according to the ESH-ESC 2013 guidelines. Serum A-FABP levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results

Twenty-five (32.9%) of the 76 PD patients were classified in the high arterial stiffness group. Compared with the patients in the low arterial stiffness group, the high arterial stiffness group was older (P = 0.002) and had a longer PD vintage (P = 0.011), higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP, P = 0.036), higher fasting glucose levels (P = 0.012), higher serum C reactive protein levels (P = 0.001), and higher serum A-FABP levels (P < 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression analysis of the factors significantly associated with central arterial stiffness revealed that A-FABP (odds ratio (OR): 1.165, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.056–1.284, P = 0.002), age (OR: 1.423, 95% CI: 1.153–1.757, P = 0.001), PD vintage (OR: 1.049, 95% CI: 1.015–1.085, P = 0.005), and DBP (OR: 1.152, 95% CI: 1.033–1.285, P = 0.011) were independent predictors of central arterial stiffness in PD patients. Furthermore, serum A-FABP levels (β = 0.476, adjusted R² change: 0.197, P < 0.001) were significantly positively correlated with cfPWV according to the multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis.

Conclusions

A-FABP levels are an independent marker of central arterial stiffness in PD patients.

Positive Association of Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein Level With Peripheral Artery Disease in Hemodialysis Patients

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein is positively associated with atherosclerosis. Peripheral arterial disease is associated with an increased mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels and peripheral arterial disease by ankle-brachial index in hemodialysis patients. Among the 90 chronic hemodialysis recipients, 20 patients (22.2%) were in the low ankle-brachial index group who had a higher prevalence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, statin use, older age, higher body fat mass, higher serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein level, and lower serum creatinine level compared with patients in the control group. After statistical analysis, body fat mass (P = 0.006) and creatinine level (P = 0.018) were shown to be the independent predictors of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein level. Serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (P = 0.021) was found to be positively associated with peripheral arterial disease in hemodialysis patients.

Serum fatty acid binding protein 4 is positively associated with early stroke recurrence in nondiabetic ischemic stroke

Adipocyte fatty acid–binding protein (FABP4) played critical roles in metabolic syndrome, inflammatory responses and cardiovascular diseases. It aimed to investigate the associations of serum FABP4 levels with early stroke recurrence. This study included the 206 acute ischemic stroke patients hospitalized in our institution. Stroke recurrence events were assessed at the 3-month follow-up. The median of FABP level was 22.6 (IQR, 17.9-31.6) ng/mL in patients with stroke recurrence (N=36), which was higher than in patients without stroke recurrence [16.9 (IQR, 11.8-21.4) ng/mL] (P<0.001). As a continuous variable, the unadjusted and adjusted risk of stroke recurrence would be increased by 12% (OR=1.12 [95% CI 1.06–1.17], P<0.001) and 8% (1.08 [1.02–1.14], P=0.006) for every 1 ng/ml increment of FABP4. The Area under the curve (AUC) of serum FABP4 and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score for predicting stroke recurrence was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64–0.82) and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.64–0.81), presenting no discriminating capacity (P=0.45). In the combining model, the AUC of NIHSS score was further improved to 0.77 by FABP4 (0.77; 95% CI: 0.69–0.85), which was significant (P=0.01). The risk of stroke recurrence can be predicted by elevated FABP4 levels in serum of nondiabetic patients with first-ever ischemic stroke.

High serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein concentration linked with increased aortic arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is a novel adipokine that contributes to the development of metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerosis. We determined the correlation between serum A-FABP and aortic stiffness in T2DM patients.

METHODS

Fasting blood samples were obtained from 156 patients with T2DM. Serum A-FABP concentration were determined using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was measured using SphygmoCor System, and cfPWV values of >10 m/s were defined as high aortic stiffness.

RESULTS

Sixty participants (38.4%) fell under the high aortic stiffness group. This group, compared to the control group, showed older age (P = .004), higher systolic blood pressure (P < .001), diastolic blood pressure (P = .027), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (P = .003), serum A-FABP (P < .001) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .001). After adjusting for factors significantly associated with aortic stiffness using multivariable logistic regression analysis, serum A-FABP [OR = 1.029 (1.002-1.058), P = .039] was found to be an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum A-FABP is positively correlated with aortic arterial stiffness in patients with T2DM.

Osteocalcin and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Objective

Vascular calcification is a cardiovascular risk factor in dialysis patients. Vascular calcification involves a complex process of biomineralization resembling osteogenesis, which leads to arterial stiffness. Osteocalcin is the most abundant noncollagenous protein in the bone matrix. It is synthesized in the bone by osteoblasts and reflects the rate of bone formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum osteocalcin levels and the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Materials and Methods

Serum intact osteocalcin and cfPWV were measured in 62 PD patients. Those with CfPWV values >10 m/s were defined as the high central arterial stiffness group, while those with values ≤10 m/s were regarded as the low central arterial stiffness group, according to the European Society of Hypertension and of the European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Results

Seventeen of the 62 PD patients (27.4%) were in the high central arterial stiffness group. The high central arterial stiffness group were older (P = 0.002), had a longer PD vintage (P = 0.018), and had higher serum osteocalcin levels (P = 0.001) than those in the low group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the osteocalcin level (odds ratio: 1.069, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.137, P = 0.035), PD vintage (odds ratio: 1.028, 95% CI: 1.010-1.048, P = 0.003), and age (odds ratio: 1.081, 95% CI: 1.005-1.162, P = 0.035) were independently associated with central arterial stiffness in PD patients. Among these patients, cfPWV (β: 0.216, P = 0.001) values and log-transformed intact parathyroid hormone (β: -'0.447, P < 0.001) levels were independently associated with the osteocalcin level in PD patients after multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis.

Conclusion

Older PD patients with a longer PD vintage and higher serum osteocalcin levels had higher central arterial stiffness as measured by cfPWV. The serum osteocalcin level is an independent marker of central arterial stiffness in PD patients.

High Levels of Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid-binding Protein Predict Cardiovascular Events in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Background: Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a cardiometabolic predictor of cardiovascular (CV) disease in humans. We evaluated the association between serum A-FABP levels and future CV events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 106 CAD patients were enrolled in this study between January and December 2012 and were followed-up until June 30, 2017. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse CV events. Results: During a median follow-up period of 53 months, 44 CV events occurred. Patients with CV events presented higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.020), total serum cholesterol (p = 0.047), and serum A-FABP levels (p < 0.001) compared with patients without CV events. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of CV events in the high A-FABP group (median A-FABP concentration of >17.63 ng/mL) was higher than that in the low A-FABP group (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that triglycerides (hazard ratio (HR): 1.008, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.016, p = 0.026) and serum A-FABP levels (HR: 1.027, 95% CI: 1.009-1.047, p = 0.004) were independently associated with CV events. Conclusion: Serum A-FABP level is a biomarker for future CV events in patients with CAD. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms underlying this association.

Serum leptin is a predictor for central arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients

AIM

Serum adipokines have a role in the development of arterial stiffness. We aimed to investigate the risk factors of developing arterial stiffness and the association of leptin and arterial stiffness in hypertensive (HTN) patients.

METHODS

There were 101 HTN patients enrolled. Fasting blood samples and baseline characteristics were obtained and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was measured with the SphygmoCor system. A cfPWV > 10 m/s was defined as high arterial stiffness, and ≤ 10 m/s as low arterial stiffness.

RESULT

Forty-seven patients (46.5 %) had high arterial stiffness, and had a higher percentage of diabetes (P = 0.044), , older age (P < 0.001), higher pulse pressure (P = 0.049), and higher serum blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.029), creatinine (P = 0.027), intact parathyroid hormone (P = 0.004), serum leptin level (P = 0.002), C-reactive protein (P < 0.001), but lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.006) compared to patients with low arterial stiffness. After adjusting for factors significantly associated with arterial stiffness by multivariate logistic regression analysis, it revealed that leptin (aOR = 1.037, 95% CI = 1.007-1.067, P = 0.014), having DM (aOR = 4.885, 95% CI = 1.590-15.006, P = 0.006), and elevated CRP (aOR = 1.503, 95% CI = 1.110-2.0371,P = 0.009) were significant independent predictors of arterial stiffness in HTN patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum leptin level could be a predictor for arterial stiffness in HTN patients.

Serum sclerostin as an independent marker of peripheral artery disease in elderly persons

Sclerostin is now being recognized as performing a multitude of physiological functions and is associated with coronary artery calcification. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis in elderly persons. This study aimed to determine whether high serum sclerostin is associated with PAD in elderly persons. Blood samples were obtained from 68 participants in the study older than 65 years. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) values were measured using the automated oscillometric method (VaSera VS-1000). PAD was considered present if the left or right ABI values were less than 0.9 and included in the low ABI group. Serum sclerostin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Among elderly participants, 13 (19.1%) were in the low ABI group. Elderly participants had higher statin use (P = 0.015), serum intact parathyroid hormone (P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (P = 0.027), and sclerostin (P < 0.001) levels in the low ABI group than in the normal ABI group. Serum sclerostin (odds ratio: 1.050, 95% confidence interval: 1.013-1.089, P = 0.008) was the independent predictor of PAD in elderly participants in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A high serum sclerostin level is a risk factor for PAD in the elderly.

Circulating Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 Concentration Predicts the Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis in a General Population Without Medication

BACKGROUND

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), which is expressed in both adipocytes and macrophages, is secreted from the cells and acts as an adipokine. An elevated circulating FABP4 level is associated with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis.Methods and Results:We investigated the causative association between FABP4 level and progression of atherosclerosis in subjects of the Tanno-Sobetsu Study, a population-based cohort. In 281 subjects without medication (male/female: 109/172) in the year 2010 or 2013, the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) assessed using carotid ultrasonography was significantly correlated with age, adiposity, blood pressure, renal dysfunction and levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, HbA1c and FABP4 (r=0.331, P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that age, sex and FABP4 concentration were independent predictors of CIMT. A total of 78 (male/female: 29/49) of the 156 subjects in 2010 underwent carotid ultrasonography again in 2013. The change in CIMT each year during that 3-year period (mean±SD: 3.8±22.3 µm/year) was positively correlated with basal levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (r=0.231, P=0.046) and FABP4 (r=0.267, P=0.018) in 2010. After adjustment for age, sex and hsCRP level, the basal FABP4 level was independently associated with the change in CIMT per year.

CONCLUSIONS

FABP4 concentration is an independent predictor of the progression of carotid atherosclerosis.

High serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein level as a potential biomarker of aortic arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

The adipocyte-fatty-acid-binding protein (A-FABP) has been implicated in arterial stiffness, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the relationship among serum A-FABP concentration, cardiometabolic risk factors, and central arterial stiffness in a hypertensive population.

METHODS

Fasting blood samples and baseline characteristics were obtained from 110 hypertensive patients. Serum A-FABP concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay kit. High arterial stiffness was defined as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity values >10m/s via the SphygmoCor system.

RESULTS

Patients with MetS and high arterial stiffness accounted for 67.3% and 42.7% of the study population, respectively. Serum A-FABP was positively associated with MetS and high arterial stiffness (P=0.006 and P<0.001, respectively). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables of arterial stiffness revealed that logarithmically transformed A-FABP (log-A-FABP, β=0.278, P=0.002) was positively correlated arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. Subgroup analysis revealed that log-A-FABP (β=0.327, P=0.003), age (β=0229, P=0.032), and triglyceride (β=0.307, P=0.004) were significantly positively correlated with arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated A-FABP concentration could be a predictor for MetS and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.

Serum resistin as an independent marker of aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease

Background

Subjects with higher carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) will be at an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events in future. Resistin is an inflammatory mediator and a biomarker of CV diseases. We evaluated the association between serum resistin and aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

A total of 104 patients with CAD were enrolled in this study. cfPWV was measured using the SphygmoCor system. Patients with cfPWV >10 m/s were defined as the high aortic stiffness group.

Results

Thirty-seven patients (35.6%) had high aortic stiffness and higher percentages of diabetes (p = 0.001), were of older age (p = 0.001) and had higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.027), pulse pressure (p = 0.013), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p < 0.001) and resistin levels (p < 0.001) but lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.009) compared to subjects with low aortic stiffness. After adjusting for factors significantly associated with aortic stiffness by multivariate logistic regression analysis, serum resistin (odds ratio = 1.275, 95% confidence interval: 1.065–1.527, p = 0.008) was also found to be an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in patients with CAD.

Conclusions

Serum resistin level is a biomarker for aortic stiffness in patients with CAD.

Positive correlation of serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels with metabolic syndrome in kidney transplantation patients

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is significantly expressed in white and brown adipose tissue, monocytes, and macrophages and is a central regulator of systemic insulin sensitivity. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor for post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), chronic graft dysfunction, graft loss, and patient death in kidney transplantation (KT) patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between MetS and fasting serum A-FABP concentration in KT patients. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 70 KT patients. Serum A-FABP levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. MetS and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Twenty-two patients (31.4%) had MetS. KT patients with hypertension (P = 0.011), diabetes (P = 0.002), body weight (P = 0.004), body mass index (BMI, P = 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), body fat mass (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP, P = 0.017), total cholesterol (TCH, P = 0.028), triglycerides (TG, P = 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN, P = 0.003), insulin (P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, P < 0.001), and A-FABP level (P < 0.001) were higher, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, P = 0.010) was lower in KT patients with MetS. Moreover, SBP (β = 0.347, adjusted R² change = 0.108, P = 0.001) and logarithmically transformed triglycerides (log-TG, β = 0.393, adjusted R² change = 0.189, P < 0.001) were associated with A-FABP levels in a multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis among KT patients. The results of our study showed that the fasting A-FABP level was positively associated with MetS in KT patients. SBP and log-TG were independent predictors of the serum A-FABP level among KT patients.

Serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein level is associated with arterial stiffness quantified with cardio-ankle vascular index in kidney transplant patients

BACKGROUND

Arterial stiffness is an established marker of cardiovascular risk and an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality in kidney transplant (KT) patients. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), a novel adipokine, is positively associated with atherosclerosis. The present study evaluated the relationship between fasting circulating A-FABP and peripheral arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in KT patients.

METHODS

Fasting blood samples were collected from 74 KT patients, and serum A-FABP levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. CAVI was calculated using a waveform device (CAVI-VaSera VS-1000). The cutoff values for high and low levels of arterial stiffness were defined by the CAVI values of ≥9 and <9, respectively.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients (45.9%) were classified into the high arterial stiffness group. Compared with the low arterial stiffness group, the high arterial stiffness group had higher values for age (p = 0.015), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), pulse pressure (p < 0.001), duration of kidney transplantation (p = 0.005), serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (p = 0.033 and 0.047, respectively), glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.019), fasting glucose levels (p = 0.012), and serum A-FABP levels (p < 0.001). Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.004), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), and serum A-FABP levels (p = 0.003) were independent predictors of CAVI value in KT patients.

CONCLUSION

Serum fasting A-FABP level is positively associated with peripheral arterial stiffness in KT patients.

High serum resistin levels are associated with peripheral artery disease in the hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Subjects with PAD are at increased risk of future cardiovascular (CV) events. Resistin is involved in the pathological processes of CV diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate whether resistin level is correlated with PAD in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-four hypertensive patients were enrolled in this study. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) values were measured using the automated oscillometric method. An ABI value < 0.9 defined the low ABI group. Anthropometric analysis with waist circumference and body mass index, and fasting serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total calcium, phosphorus, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured using standard enzymatic automated methods. Serum levels of human resistin were determined using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Eighteen hypertensive patients (14.5%) were included in the low ABI group. Hypertensive patients in the low ABI group were older (p = 0.043) and had higher serum creatinine (p < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; p = 0.013), and resistin (p < 0.001) levels but a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.002) than patients in the normal ABI group. After the adjustment for factors that were significantly associated with PAD on multivariate logistic regression analysis, serum resistin (odds ratio [OR], 1.176; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.028-1.345; p = 0.018) was also an independent predictor of PAD in hypertensive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A high serum resistin level is an independent predictor of PAD in hypertensive patients.

High Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is a key mediator of obesity-related metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between A-FABP concentration and MetS in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 165 type 2 DM volunteers. MetS and its components were defined using diagnostic criteria from the International Diabetes Federation. Among 165 DM patients, 113 patients (68.5%) had MetS. Diabetic persons who had MetS had significantly higher A-FABP levels (P < 0.001) than those without MetS. Female DM persons had higher A-FABP level than man (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences in A-FABP levels were found in use of statin, fibrate, or antidiabetic drugs. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that body fat mass (P < 0.001), logarithmically transformed creatinine (log-creatinine; P < 0.001), female DM patients (P < 0.001), and logarithmically transformed high sensitive C-reactive protein (log-hs-CRP; P = 0.013) were positively correlated, while albumin (P = 0.004) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR; P = 0.043) were negatively correlated with serum A-FABP levels in type 2 DM patients. In this study, higher serum A-FABP level was positively associated with MetS in type 2 DM patients.