Evaluation of the relationship between atherosclerosis and Helicobacter pylori infection with measurement of growth differentiation factor 15 and atherosclerosis indicators in adults with no comorbidity

• Published in: Clínica e investigación en arteriosclerosis (Internet, English ed.) English ed.), 2024-03, Vol.36 (2), p.51-59
• Main Authors: Başpinar, Osman, Elibol, Ayça, Koçer, Derya, Tokmak, Turgut Tursem, Doğan, Serkan, Dizdar, Oğuzhan Sıtkı
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aterosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Carotid intima-media thickness; GDF-15; Grosor íntima-media carotídeo; Helicobacter pylori
• ISSN: 2529-9123; 2529-9123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.artere.2024.02.001

The aim of this study was to investigate presence of subclinical atherosclerosis by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with Helicobacter pylori (HP) and to assess effects of HP on atherosclerosis by evaluating markers of atherosclerosis and blood growth differentiation factor (GDF-15) levels. This cross-sectional study included 59 patients without comorbid disease who had HP and 30 healthy controls without HP in upper endoscopic biopsy. In order to assess atherosclerosis, the CIMT measurement was performed by sonography. Serum GDF-15 level was measured by ELISA method. In all patients, atherosclerosis markers were recorded. Atherogenic indices were calculated, including Castelli risk index I and II (TG/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c, respectively), plasma atherogenic index (PAI; log TG/HDL-c), non-HDL-c (TH-HDL-c) and atherogenic coefficient (AC; non-HDL-HDL-c). The GDF-15 level and CIMT were significantly higher in HP-positive group when compared to HP-negative group (p≤0.001). There was a significant correlation between serum GDF-15 level and CIMT (r=0.445; p≤0.001). There was no correlation between other atherosclerosis markers and serum GDF-15 level or CIMT. The bacterial intensity on endoscopic specimen was only correlated with CIMT (p