P3.10 GENETIC FACTORS VS CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS. WHAT IS MORE SIGNIFICANT IN VASCULAR AGING?

Abstract

Objective: Telomere length (TL) has been identified as a marker for biological, cardiovascular aging and cardiovascular events risk. Increased arterial stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT) are the main signs of arterial aging and strong predictors for the development of cardiovascular disease. But the origin of the association between cardiovascular events risk and telomere biology is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of telomere lenght (a largely inherited component) and conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) (a largely acquired component) in vascular aging process. Design: The study group included 146 patients free from established cardiovascular diseases, mean age 51,34 ± 19,02 years. Smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, high fasting glucose level were considered as CVRF. Methods: TL was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. IMT was determined by ultrasonography in both left and right carotid arteries. Arterial stiffness was appreciated by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring with the help of SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical). Results are summarized in the table. PWV IMT TL r = −0,2657 r = −0,1861 p = 0,0096 p = 0,0618 CVFR r = −0,0983 r = 0,2997 p = 0,264 p = 0,0005 Conclusions: TL has strong correlation with PWV, but not IMT. Opposite, the presence of conventional CVRF are contribute to subclinical atherosclerosis, not arterial stiffness. Thus, age-related changes in the vascular wall has different causes and requires an individual approach to the prevention and treatment.