Total Cholesterol Content of Erythrocyte Membranes and Coronary Atherosclerosis: An Intravascular Ultrasound Pilot Study

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that erythrocytes may participate in atherogenesis. We sought to investigate the relationship between total cholesterol content in erythrocyte membranes (CEM) and coronary atheroma burden in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We prospective...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Angiology 2009-12, Vol.60 (6), p.676-682
Main Authors: Giannoglou, George D., Koskinas, Konstantinos C., Tziakas, Dimitrios N., Ziakas, Antonios G., Antoniadis, Antonios P., Tentes, Ioannis K., Parcharidis, George E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research)
Biological and medical sciences
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cholesterol - blood
Coronary Artery Disease - blood
Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging
Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous
Erythrocyte Membrane - metabolism
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Prognosis
Prospective Studies
Severity of Illness Index
Ultrasonography, Interventional - methods
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Summary:Background: Increasing evidence suggests that erythrocytes may participate in atherogenesis. We sought to investigate the relationship between total cholesterol content in erythrocyte membranes (CEM) and coronary atheroma burden in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We prospectively enrolled 28 participants: 11 patients with angiographically significant CAD and 17 controls. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and 3-dimensional reconstruction of coronary arteries was performed in the patient subgroup. Results: Cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes was higher in patients compared to controls (P < .01). Cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes correlated with total atheroma volume (r = .82, P < .01) and with percentage plaque area at the vessel site with minimal lumen area (r = .75, P < .05). On multivariate analysis, CEM was the only variable independently predicting total atheroma volume (P = .05). Conclusions: This pilot study is the first to demonstrate a significant relation between CEM and coronary atherosclerotic burden, suggesting a possible role of erythrocyte membrane—derived lipids in the expansion of atheromata. The results merit validation in larger studies.
ISSN:0003-3197
1940-1574
DOI:10.1177/0003319709337307