Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Levels Are Associated With Carotid Atherosclerosis
- 1 January 2002
- journal article
- other
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Stroke
- Vol. 33 (1), 31-38
- https://doi.org/10.1161/hs0102.100531
Abstract
Background and Purpose— Recent evidence suggests that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory condition. Serum levels of inflammatory markers may serve as measures of the severity of atherosclerosis and risk of stroke. We sought to determine whether tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF receptor levels are associated with carotid plaque thickness. Methods— The Northern Manhattan Stroke Study is a community-based study of stroke risk factors. For this cross-sectional analysis, inflammatory marker levels, including TNF-α and TNF receptors 1 and 2, were measured by immunoassay in stroke-free community subjects undergoing carotid duplex Doppler ultrasound. Maximal carotid plaque thickness (MCPT) was measured for each subject. Analyses were stratified by age 75th percentile), after adjustment for demographic and potential medical confounding factors. Results— The mean age of the 279 subjects was 67.6±8.5 years; 49% were men; 63% were Hispanic, 17% black, and 17% white. Mean values for TNF-α and its receptors were as follows: TNF-α, 1.88±3.97 ng/mL; TNF receptor 1, 2.21±0.99 ng/mL; and TNF receptor 2, 4.85±2.23 ng/mL. Mean MCPT was elevated in those in the highest quartiles compared with lowest quartiles of TNF receptor 1 and 2 (1.24 versus 0.79 mm and 1.23 versus 0.80 mm, respectively). Among those aged P=0.01 for TNF receptor 1 and mean difference=0.10 mm,P=0.04 for TNF receptor 2). After adjustment for sex, race-ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, LDL cholesterol, smoking, and body mass index, associations remained (mean difference=0.36 mm,P=0.001 for TNF receptor 1 and mean difference=0.09 mm,P=0.051 for TNF receptor 2). There was no association for TNF receptors in those aged ≥70 years old and no association for TNF-α in either age group. Among those aged Conclusions— Relative elevation in TNF receptor levels, but not TNF-α, is associated with carotid atherosclerosis among individuals aged <70 years in this multiethnic, urban population. Chronic subclinical infection or inflammation may account for this association, and modification of these inflammatory pathways may provide a novel approach to stroke prevention.Keywords
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