Relation between Vascular Risk Factors and Carotid Plaque Cell Composition and Viability in Elderly Patients
(2003) In Brain Ageing 3(1). p.38-42- Abstract
- Objectives: Carotid stenosis is a crucial cause of ischemic stroke. Recent studies suggest that one of
the most important effects of lipid-lowering statins is to stabilize vulnerable plaques. However, it
remains to be determined if this effect is secondary to the lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or due
to a direct effect of statins on plaques stability.
Design and main outcome measures: In this study we have analyzed if plaque cell composition and the
frequency of apoptotic DNA fragmentation are related to cholesterol levels or any of the major risk
factors for vascular disease. The study group consisted of 49 patients undergoing carotid
endarterectomy. The plaques were... (More) - Objectives: Carotid stenosis is a crucial cause of ischemic stroke. Recent studies suggest that one of
the most important effects of lipid-lowering statins is to stabilize vulnerable plaques. However, it
remains to be determined if this effect is secondary to the lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or due
to a direct effect of statins on plaques stability.
Design and main outcome measures: In this study we have analyzed if plaque cell composition and the
frequency of apoptotic DNA fragmentation are related to cholesterol levels or any of the major risk
factors for vascular disease. The study group consisted of 49 patients undergoing carotid
endarterectomy. The plaques were stained by immunohistochemical and TUNEL techniques and
scored semi quantitatively by a blinded observer.
Results: Rupture sites contained significantly more TUNEL-positive cells and T-cells, but less smooth
muscle cells than intact areas of the fibrous cap. Plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients were
found to have less TUNEL-positive cells, but otherwise hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol,
hypertension, diabetes and smoking did not influence plaque cell composition or the frequency of
TUNEL-positive cells.
Conclusions: Our observations suggest that there are no associations between major vascular risk factors
and plaque cell composition. Accordingly, they favor the notion that the effects of statins are due to a
direct effect on plaque structure rather than solely secondary to lowering of plasma cholesterol. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/1126920
- author
- Crisby, Milita and Nilsson, Jan LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2003
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, hypercholesterolemia, inflammation, hypertension, elderly patients
- in
- Brain Ageing
- volume
- 3
- issue
- 1
- pages
- 38 - 42
- publisher
- Eonia Publishing
- ISSN
- 1582-8352
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 41019ea3-12b4-47fd-a0e1-141a5040c233 (old id 1126920)
- alternative location
- http://www.brainaging.ro/pdf/brain_a012003.pdf
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 15:26:49
- date last changed
- 2018-11-21 20:34:30
@article{41019ea3-12b4-47fd-a0e1-141a5040c233,
abstract = {{Objectives: Carotid stenosis is a crucial cause of ischemic stroke. Recent studies suggest that one of<br/><br>
the most important effects of lipid-lowering statins is to stabilize vulnerable plaques. However, it<br/><br>
remains to be determined if this effect is secondary to the lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or due<br/><br>
to a direct effect of statins on plaques stability.<br/><br>
Design and main outcome measures: In this study we have analyzed if plaque cell composition and the<br/><br>
frequency of apoptotic DNA fragmentation are related to cholesterol levels or any of the major risk<br/><br>
factors for vascular disease. The study group consisted of 49 patients undergoing carotid<br/><br>
endarterectomy. The plaques were stained by immunohistochemical and TUNEL techniques and<br/><br>
scored semi quantitatively by a blinded observer.<br/><br>
Results: Rupture sites contained significantly more TUNEL-positive cells and T-cells, but less smooth<br/><br>
muscle cells than intact areas of the fibrous cap. Plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients were<br/><br>
found to have less TUNEL-positive cells, but otherwise hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol,<br/><br>
hypertension, diabetes and smoking did not influence plaque cell composition or the frequency of<br/><br>
TUNEL-positive cells.<br/><br>
Conclusions: Our observations suggest that there are no associations between major vascular risk factors<br/><br>
and plaque cell composition. Accordingly, they favor the notion that the effects of statins are due to a<br/><br>
direct effect on plaque structure rather than solely secondary to lowering of plasma cholesterol.}},
author = {{Crisby, Milita and Nilsson, Jan}},
issn = {{1582-8352}},
keywords = {{atherosclerosis; plaque rupture; hypercholesterolemia; inflammation; hypertension; elderly patients}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
pages = {{38--42}},
publisher = {{Eonia Publishing}},
series = {{Brain Ageing}},
title = {{Relation between Vascular Risk Factors and Carotid Plaque Cell Composition and Viability in Elderly Patients}},
url = {{http://www.brainaging.ro/pdf/brain_a012003.pdf}},
volume = {{3}},
year = {{2003}},
}