Influence of high sensitivity C-reactive protein on pulsatile arterial function in asymptomatic younger adult : The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: Low grade systemic inflammation depicted by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has emerged as an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) disease and type 2 diabetes. Impaired pulsatile arterial function is also an independent predictor of early vascular damage and related CV outcome. However, information linking hs- CRP and pulsatile arterial function in a community-based cohort is scant. Methods: This aspect was examined in a cohort of 599 black and white subjects (27 % black, 42 % male) aged 26-43 years (mean 37.6 years) enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Pulsatile arterial function was assessed in terms of large artery compliance and small artery compliance by noninvasive radial artery pressure pulse contour analysis.

Results: Females vs. males had significantly higher CRP level (2.89 mg/L vs. 1.99 mg/L, p=0.0004). Large artery compliance was lower in blacks vs. whites (14.25 ml/mmHg vs. 15.54 ml/mmHg, p 0.0003) as well as females vs. males (13.86 ml/mmHg vs. 15.92 ml/mmHg, P< 0.0001). In a multivariate regression model, adjusting for race, sex, age, body surface area, cardiac output, triglycerides/ HDL cholesterol ratio hs-CRP remained independently and inversely associated with large artery compliance.

Conclusions: The observed deleterious effect of hs-CRP on large artery compliance in asymptomatic younger adults underscores the utility of hs-CRP as a biomarker of CV risk.