Carotid Artery Stiffness in Metabolic Syndrome: Sex Differences

Serum Level of Lactate Dehydrogenase is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk as Determined by the Framingham Risk Score and Arterial Stiffness in a Health-Examined Population in China

Introduction

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an important oxidoreductase in the anaerobic metabolic pathway. The role of LDH in arterial stiffness (AS) and 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD10) risk has not been established.

Methods

This retrospective, cross-sectional, and observational study evaluated the relationships between the LDH level and AS and CVD10 risk in 12,597 health-examined people (6988 men and 5609 women; mean age, 49.49 years) in China. Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used to estimate AS. The Framingham CVD 10-year risk prediction model was used to calculate the CVD10 risk score.

Results

In both sexes, an increased LDH level was associated with increased AS and CVD10 (men: β = 0.032, P < 0.001; women: β = 0.025, P < 0.001). Half of the population with a high LDH level (≥172 U/L) showed significantly increased AS and CVD10 risk score. Men and women with baPWV ≥1400 cm/s had a higher LDH level, and the latter was significantly different from that of the group with baPWV <1400 cm/s (men: 176.93±30.99 vs 173.00±33.36, P < 0.001; women: 189.10±34.20 vs 171.39±31.08, P < 0.001). In both sexes, a higher level of LDH was noted in groups with higher CVD10 risk score (men: 176.65±32.51 vs 172.94±32.46, P < 0.001; women: 202.51±44.05 vs 175.73±32.39, P < 0.001).

Discussion

An increased LDH level may be associated with AS and CVD10 risk. The LDH level could be a new predictor of AS and CVD10 risk in health-examined populations.

Carotid Atherosclerosis, Ultrasound and Lipoproteins

Carotid artery plaques are considered a measure of atherosclerosis and are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly ischemic strokes. Monitoring of patients with an elevated risk of stroke is critical in developing better prevention strategies. Non-invasive imaging allows us to directly see atherosclerosis in vessels and many features that are related to plaque vulnerability. A large body of evidence has demonstrated a strong correlation between some lipid parameters and carotid atherosclerosis. In this article, we review the relationship between lipids and atherosclerosis with a focus on carotid ultrasound, the most common method to estimate atherosclerotic load.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Aging Men

The elderly population is rapidly increasing; hence, the disability due to age-related diseases has become an important socioeconomic burden. Amongst age-related diseases cardiovascular ones (CVD) have a huge impact on morbidity and mortality and are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Several studies investigated the role of hypovitaminosis D in the pathogenesis of MetS and of CVD, this review unravels the relationship between aging/senescence, vitamin D, gender, and pathogenesis of MetS.