Relation between Vascular Risk Factors and Carotid Plaque Cell Composition and Viability in Elderly Patients
Author
Summary, in English
Objectives: Carotid stenosis is a crucial cause of ischemic stroke. Recent studies suggest that one of
the most important effects of lipid-lowering statins is to stabilize vulnerable plaques. However, it
remains to be determined if this effect is secondary to the lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or due
to a direct effect of statins on plaques stability.
Design and main outcome measures: In this study we have analyzed if plaque cell composition and the
frequency of apoptotic DNA fragmentation are related to cholesterol levels or any of the major risk
factors for vascular disease. The study group consisted of 49 patients undergoing carotid
endarterectomy. The plaques were stained by immunohistochemical and TUNEL techniques and
scored semi quantitatively by a blinded observer.
Results: Rupture sites contained significantly more TUNEL-positive cells and T-cells, but less smooth
muscle cells than intact areas of the fibrous cap. Plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients were
found to have less TUNEL-positive cells, but otherwise hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol,
hypertension, diabetes and smoking did not influence plaque cell composition or the frequency of
TUNEL-positive cells.
Conclusions: Our observations suggest that there are no associations between major vascular risk factors
and plaque cell composition. Accordingly, they favor the notion that the effects of statins are due to a
direct effect on plaque structure rather than solely secondary to lowering of plasma cholesterol.
the most important effects of lipid-lowering statins is to stabilize vulnerable plaques. However, it
remains to be determined if this effect is secondary to the lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or due
to a direct effect of statins on plaques stability.
Design and main outcome measures: In this study we have analyzed if plaque cell composition and the
frequency of apoptotic DNA fragmentation are related to cholesterol levels or any of the major risk
factors for vascular disease. The study group consisted of 49 patients undergoing carotid
endarterectomy. The plaques were stained by immunohistochemical and TUNEL techniques and
scored semi quantitatively by a blinded observer.
Results: Rupture sites contained significantly more TUNEL-positive cells and T-cells, but less smooth
muscle cells than intact areas of the fibrous cap. Plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients were
found to have less TUNEL-positive cells, but otherwise hypercholesterolemia, low HDL cholesterol,
hypertension, diabetes and smoking did not influence plaque cell composition or the frequency of
TUNEL-positive cells.
Conclusions: Our observations suggest that there are no associations between major vascular risk factors
and plaque cell composition. Accordingly, they favor the notion that the effects of statins are due to a
direct effect on plaque structure rather than solely secondary to lowering of plasma cholesterol.
Publishing year
2003
Language
English
Pages
38-42
Publication/Series
Brain Ageing
Volume
3
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Eonia Publishing
Topic
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Keywords
- atherosclerosis
- plaque rupture
- hypercholesterolemia
- inflammation
- hypertension
- elderly patients
Status
Published
Research group
- Cardiovascular Research - Immunity and Atherosclerosis
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1582-8352