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Thromb Haemost 2011; 106(04): 683-692
DOI: 10.1160/TH11-01-0030
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Increased levels of platelet activation markers are positively associated with carotid wall thickness and other atherosclerotic risk factors in obese patients

Éva Csongrádi
1   1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
2   Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Center for Excellence in Cardiovascular-Renal Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
,
Bela Nagy Jr
3   Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
Tibor Fulop
4   Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
,
Zsuzsa Varga
1   1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
Zsolt Karányi
1   1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
Mária T. Magyar
5   Department of Neurology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
László Oláh
5   Department of Neurology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
Mária Papp
6   2nd Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
Andrea Facskó
7   Department of Ophthalmology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
János Kappelmayer
3   Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
György Paragh
1   1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
,
Miklós Káplar
1   1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
› Author Affiliations Financial support: This work was supported by a “Mecenatura” grant of Dr. Miklós Káplár (University of Debrecen, Hungary), by an OTKA grant (K75199) of Dr. János Kappelmayer, and by the TAMOP 4.2.1/B-091/1/KONV-2010-0007 project to Dr. János Kappelmayer.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 January 2011

Accepted after minor revision: 18 June 2011

Publication Date:
29 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

The role of platelets in the development of atherosclerosis and obesity-related prothrombotic state is still under investigation. In this cross-sectional cohort study, we measured the levels of different platelet activation markers and evaluated their relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) along with other atherosclerotic risk factors in obese patients with or without atherosclerotic co-morbidities. We enrolled 154 obese patients, including 98 with either hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus or dyslipidaemia, 56 without these co-morbidities and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Platelet P-selectin expression and the number of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) were measured by flow cytometry; soluble P-selectin levels were analysed by ELISA and Thr715Pro P-selectin polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP. Carotid IMT was examined by ultrasonography. The levels of platelet activation parameters were significantly elevated in all obese subjects with increased carotid IMT compared to healthy controls. There was no effect of Thr715Pro genotype on soluble P-selectin levels in obese individuals contrary to normal subjects. Significant and positive association was revealed between carotid IMT and platelet P-selectin (p<0.0001), soluble P-selectin (p=0.039) and PMP (p=0.0001) levels. After adjusting for multiple variables, independent association was found between soluble P-selectin and fibrinogen (p=0.007), PMP levels and body mass index (p<0.0001) as well as platelet P-selectin and carotid IMT (p=0.012) plus plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (p=0.009). In conclusion, P-selectin and PMP levels showed positive associations with abnormal carotid IMT and other risk factors in obesity suggesting a critical role of enhanced platelet reactivity in atherosclerotic wall alteration.

Keywords

Atherosclerosis - platelets - carotid intima-media thickness - P-selectin - microparticles - obesity - Thr715Pro polymorphism
 

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