Klinicist (Jul 2014)
RELATIONSHIP OF CAROTID ARTERIES INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS WITH INFECTIOUS, IMMUNE, METABOLIC FACTORS AND INFLAMMATION MARKERS IN HEALTHY PERSONS
Abstract
Aim – to examine the relationship of arteries wall thickness with the indicators characterizing the infectious, immune, metabolic status inapparently healthy individuals.Materials and methods. The study included 342 patients (mean age 43.7 ± 0.5 years) that in the process of cluster analysis on the thicknessof the intima-media thickness (IMT) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with no risk factors of cardiovascular disease,2nd – patients with presence of these factors, 3rd – patients with atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery. All patients were examinedin complex: ultrasound of vessels measurement on the Aloka 5000 with IMT, evaluation of lipid profile, glucose level, determination of C-reactive protein (CRP) in blood plasma and cytokines – tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL) -1, -8, -4, specific antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG) to cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1 ), C. pneumoniae, H. pylori and β-hemolytic streptococci group A. Immune system status was assessed by innate and acquired immunity factors.Results. In groups of examined patients by increasing IMT of the common carotid artery infectious viruses (CMV, HSV-1) burden increased,what was obligatory for all groups. In the 3rd group, in 45 % of patients C. pneumoniae was found. In the 2nd and 3rd groups weakening ofacquired immunity was found out – reducing the total number of lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, the increase of CRP and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, -8, IFN-γ, TNF-α), it was indicating development of inflammatory process, and in the third group it took characters of the system inflammatory response. In cluster analysis it was revealed that the process of thickening of the vascular wall is influenced by complex factors – infectious, metabolic and immune.Conclusion. The presence of the close relationship between the thickness of vessel walls and infectious, metabolic (lipid) and immune parameterswas established. Infection factor has an effect on the vessel wall in the face of declining immune resistance of the organism and may be an inducer of latent inflammatory process.
