Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) is the most common familial hyperlipidemia with a high risk of the early atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare levels of s-ICAM-1 and s-VCAM-1 in asymptomatic members of FCH families with healthy controls and to find out relation between s-ICAM-1, respective s-VCAM-1, and risk factors accompanying FCH. We also investigate association between adhesion molecules and intima-media thickness of common carotid artery (IMT) in FCH families.

Methods: 82 members of 29 FCH families were divided into the 2 groups: HL (probands and hyperlipidemic first-degree relatives, n=47) and NL (normolipidemic first-degree relatives, n=35). The control groups – HL-C (n=20) and NL-C (n=20) – consisted of sex- and age–matched healthy individuals.

Results: Hyperlipidemic members had significantly higher concentration of s-ICAM-1 (633.7±169.6 ng/ml vs 546.2±155.9 ng/ml, P<0.05). The elevation of s-VCAM-1 was not significant (880.8±202.9 ng/ml vs 826.5±174.6 ng/ml, N.S.). Levels of s-ICAM-1, respectively of s-VCAM-1 in normolipidemic relatives were not significantly different compared to the control group (530.8±113.9 ng/ml vs 530.0±101.0 ng/ml, respectively 860.2±265.7 ng/ml vs 822.1±197.0 ng/ml). There was significant correlation between s-ICAM-1 and apoB (r=0.42; P<0.01) in hyperlipidemic subjects and between s-ICAM-1 and proinsulin (r=0.54; P<0.01) in normolipidemic subjects. S-ICAM-1 correlated with IMT (r=0.32; P<0.05) in all members of FCH families.

Conclusions: The increase of s-ICAM-1 in asymptomatic hyperlipidemic members of FCH families reflects their high cardiovascular risk. The positive association between s-ICAM-1 and IMT could indicate s-ICAM-1 as a potential predictor of atherosclerosis manifestation.

This work was supported by grant IGA MZCR NR/ 9068-3.