Background: Obesity and increased arterial stiffness are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The degree of arterial stiffness in obese individuals is greater than that in normal-weight subjects. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is mainly produced by vascular tissues and exerts a cardioprotective effect. However, the relationship between PTX3 and arterial stiffness in obese individuals has not yet been clarified. In this study, we examined the relationships between obesity, arterial stiffness, and PTX3 levels in 282 subjects.
Methods: All participants were classified as normal weight, overweight, or obese on the basis of their body mass index. We measured the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV; an index of arterial stiffness) and plasma PTX3 concentrations in all subjects. Additionally, the carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) was measured in 173 subjects.
Results: We found that baPWV and cfPWV in overweight and obese subjects were significantly higher than those in normal-weight subjects. Plasma PTX3 concentrations in normal-weight subjects were significantly higher than those in overweight and obese subjects. Moreover, PTX3 had a significant negative correlation with baPWV. However, stepwise multivariable linear regression analysis did not indicate any associations between these parameters.
Conclusions: Arterial stiffness is increased in overweight and obese individuals. The increase in arterial stiffness may, at least in part, be associated with an obesity-related reduction in plasma PTX3 concentrations.
Keywords: arterial stiffness; blood pressure; cardiovascular disease cardiovascular protection; hypertension; obesity; pentraxin 3..