Diagnostics (Sep 2023)

The Association of suPAR with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young and Healthy Adults

  • Niklas Fabio Wohlwend,
  • Kirsten Grossmann,
  • Stefanie Aeschbacher,
  • Ornella C. Weideli,
  • Julia Telser,
  • Martin Risch,
  • David Conen,
  • Lorenz Risch

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13182938
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 18
p. 2938

Abstract

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The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), as a correlate of chronic low-grade inflammation, may be used to predict individual cardiovascular risk. Since chronic low-grade inflammation is thought to be associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, this study aimed to evaluate if suPAR plasma levels are correlated with cardiovascular risk factors in young and healthy adults (aged 25–41 years). Consequently, data from the GAPP (genetic and phenotypic determinants of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors) study were used to investigate suPAR plasma levels in relation to the following cardiovascular risk factors and laboratory parameters: BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking status, blood pressure parameters, glucose status, and lipid levels. Additionally, suPAR was compared to the healthy lifestyle score and the Framingham score representing the overall cardiovascular risk profile. These associations were assessed using two different statistical approaches. Firstly, all cardiovascular risk factors and scores were compared amongst sex-specific suPAR plasma levels with ANOVA analysis. Secondly, sex-specific multivariable linear regressions were performed. Female participants had higher plasma suPAR levels than male participants (1.73 ng/mL versus 1.50 ng/mL; p p = 0.001) and women (p p p p p = 0.001) and a positive correlation of the Framingham score with suPAR plasma levels (p p = 0.001) and HbA1c (p = 0.008) correlated significantly with plasma suPAR levels in female participants. suPAR plasma levels were found to be strongly associated with certain cardiovascular risk factors; however, sex-specific differences were found. These sex-specific differences might be explained by the higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in men resulting in a stronger correlation of suPAR as a marker of low-grade inflammation, since the existence of the risk factors already led to subclinical damage in men. Further research on suPAR levels in an older study population is needed.

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