CAROTID STIFFNESS AND ATHEROMASIC PLAQUE COMPOSITION: BIOMOLECULAR ASSESSMENTS

Objectives: The different istopathology of atherosclerotic plaques may modify carotid stiffness. In this work we evaluated if a correlation between stiffness, type of plaques, inflammatory and apoptotic molecules and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression, could exist. Methods: Carotid specimens obtained from 19 patients were divided in two groups depending on type of plaque (Mixed and Fibrocalcific), as determined by Doppler-ultrasound. Among the inflammatory molecules we considered p-JNK, p-ERK, and NLRP3 levels by Western Blotting analysis whereas among apoptotic molecules we evaluated TNF?, TNF?IIR, FAS, FAS-L, Bcl-2, Casp8, ASK1, OPG, and HMGB1 levels by Real Time PCR. Results: We observed increased OPG protein levels in mixed plaques compared with fibrocalcific ones according to expectations, because those plaques start to calcificate, as well as increased levels of all markers of inflammation and apoptosis, confirming a predictive role of these molecules relative to plaque composition. Conclusion: Stiffness and Augmentation Index do not seem to affect plaque composition, however this could be due to the limited number of patients recruited