Association between Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-1 and arterial stiffness in metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND:Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-1 ratio (Apo B/Apo A-1) is known to be associated with atherosclerotic vascular disease. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio and arterial stiffness, thus we investigated the relationships between Apo B/Apo A-1 and arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS:1252 subjects with MetS according to the Adult Treatment Panel III were enrolled in our study. Anthropometric profiles and serum concentrations of Apo B, Apo A-1, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was evaluated to assess arterial stiffness. RESULTS:The subjects were stratified into four groups according to their Apo B/Apo A-1 ratios. PWV gradually increased according to Apo B/Apo A-1 quartiles. After adjusting for age, arterial stiffness was significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, FPG, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), Apo B and Apo B/Apo A-1. In multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for risk factors, Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio was a significant contributor to increased PWV. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that Apo B/Apo A-1 is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with MetS.