Endothelial Progenitor Cell Levels and Extent of Post-prandial Lipemic Response

Remnant cholesterol trajectory and subclinical arteriosclerosis: a 10-year longitudinal study of Chinese adults

We aimed to identify different trajectories of remnant cholesterol (RC) and investigate the association of RC trajectories with vascular endothelial function and atherosclerosis progression in a longitudinal cohort of the Chinese population. A total of 521 participants were included in the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) subcohort study, and 7775 participants were included in the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) subcohort study. All participants had ≥ 3 medical examinations during the 10-year follow-up period. In the FMD subcohort study, three distinct RC trajectories were identified according to the RC range and changing pattern over time: "low" (57.58%), "moderate" (30.90%) and "high" (11.52%). The proportion of the three groups with vascular endothelial dysfunction (FMD < 7.0%) was 20.00%, 39.75% and 60.00% respectively. Taking the low group as a reference, participants in the moderate and high groups had over 1.88 and 2.94 times the odds of vascular endothelial dysfunction (P = 0.048). In the baPWV subcohort study, three distinct RC trajectories were also identified: "low" (54.29%), "moderate" (38.97%) and "high" (6.74%). The proportion of the three groups with atherosclerosis (baPWV > 1400 cm/s) was 38.79%, 51.26% and 59.01% respectively. Taking the low group as a reference, participants in the moderate and high groups had over 1.46 and 2.16 times the odds of atherosclerosis (P < 0.001). The findings indicated that distinct RC trajectories are significantly associated with vascular endothelial function and atherosclerosis. Regular monitoring to identify persistent increases in RC may be more helpful in identifying individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Association of Remnant Cholesterol with Endothelial Dysfunction and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in a Check-Up Population in China

AIM

Vascular endothelial function and atherosclerosis are known to be important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unknown whether remnant cholesterol (RC) correlates with vascular endothelial function and atherosclerosis as represented by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate this in the general population.

METHODS

In this study, we examined 13,237 subjects who have undergone blood lipid, FMD, and baPWV measurements. Participants were divided into four groups based on RC quartiles. Multivariable linear regression models were used to calculate odds ratios for FMD and baPWV according to the RC levels.

RESULTS

A significant negative relationship was found between RC and FMD (β=-0.14, p=0.014), whereas RC was positively associated with baPWV (β=21.42, p＜0.001), especially in the male and without chronic disease medication populations. The population was divided into three groups according to their lipids: dyslipidemia group, nondyslipidemia but RC increased group (RC ＞0.78 mmol/L), and nondyslipidemia and RC normal group (RC ≤ 0.78 mmol/L). The FMD of the three groups was 7.09%±3.36%, 7.39%±3.38%, and 7.57%±3.54%, respectively. The baPWV of the three groups was 1445.26±261.56 cm/s, 1425.04±265.24 cm/s, and 1382.73±267.75 cm/s. Significant differences were noted between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that a higher RC was an independent predictive factor for participants with endothelial function and atherosclerosis. It is important to use RC as a risk management indicator of vascular function, especially for those with normal conventional lipid parameters but increased RC.