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Endocrine Abstracts (2022) 81 P274 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.P274

1National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece; 2National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Athens, Greece; 3School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, Rayne Institute, St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom; 4Biosciences Institute, Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom


Background: A large body of evidence is supporting that the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events is increasing signfiicantly after the menopausal transition. Primary prevention practices continue to propose evolving algorithms, in an attempt to accurately estimate the actual female cardiovascular risk at midlife. Irrespectively of these attempts, considerable unrecognized cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk remains unexplained, beyond traditional risk factors (TRFs). On the other hand, a growing body of evidence is suggesting the potential role of a proatherogenic peptide, thecirculating amyloid β 1-40 (Aβ1-40). This peptide may serve as a novel biomarker in CVD.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the role of plasma Aβ1-40 and its patterns of change over time in the progression of structural atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.

Methods: This prospective study recruited a total of 152 postmenopausal women without history or symptoms of CVD, consecutive outpatients in the Menopause Clinic of Aretaieion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Baseline assessment consisted of measuring anthropometric and demographic parameters, obtaining fasting blood samples, performing carotid high-resolution ultrasonography. Blood samples were used to measure Aβ1-40, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Follow-up assessment was performed after a median follow-up of 28.2 months, during which a repeat assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis through sonographical studies was performed

Results: At baseline, the sum of maximal wall thickness in all carotid sites (sumWT) as well as the values of carotid bulb intima-media thickness (cbIMT) associated independently with high Aβ1-40 (P < 0.05). Levels of Aβ1-40 levels appeared to increase over time, and were also associated with decreasing renal function. Accelerated progression of cbIMT and maximum carotid wall thickness and sumWT (P < 0.05 for all) was observed for women with a pattern of increasing or persistently high Aβ1-40 levels after adjustment for baseline Aβ1-40 levels, TRFs, and renal function (P < 0.05 for both).

Conclusion: The results of our study provide novel insights into a link between atherosclerosis progression in menopause and the time-related pattern of change in values of Aβ1-40. More specifically, the rate of progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was associated with persistently high Aβ1-40 levels or persistently high values, irrespective of the baseline levels. Further research is required to clarify the value of monitoring Aβ1-40 values, as a possible atherosclerosis biomarker in middle-aged women without clinically overt CVD.

Volume 81

European Congress of Endocrinology 2022

Milan, Italy
21 May 2022 - 24 May 2022

European Society of Endocrinology 

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