03 Feb Biomarker Endothelin-1 As Potential Marker of Cardiovascular Risk
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Matthias Bossard, MD
Clinical and Research Fellow Cardiology Division
Department of Medicine University Hospital Basel
Basel Switzerland
MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Bossard: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its pleiotropic effects have been implicated in the regulation of vascular and renal physiology as well as inflammation. Moreover, elevated ET-1 levels have been associated with endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Until now, data on the relationships between ET-1 and individual cardiovascular risk factors were scarce, especially from large-scale population based studies. This may be attributable to the previously used laboratory assays.The emergence of new ET-1 assays has facilitated ET-1 measurement in large populations.
Our main findings are that ET-1 levels are independently associated with several individual cardiovascular risk factors an overall cardiovascular risk in a large cohort of young and healthy adults.Specifically, ET-1 levels were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure, current smoking, glomerular filtration rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Bossard: The novel ET-1 assay allows for easy measurement of ET-1 plasma levels. These levels correlate with major cardiovascular risk determinants even within the normal range. Thus, ET-1 may help to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. .
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Bossard: Plasma ET-1 may become a future marker for the cardiovascular risk prediction and determination of endothelial dysfunction. Prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the incremental value of ET-1 as a biomarker in clinical practice.
Citation:
Plasma endothelin-1 and cardiovascular risk among young and healthy adults
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:, & Dr. Matthias Bossard, MD (2015). Biomarker Endothelin-1 As Potential Marker of Cardiovascular Risk MedicalResearch.comm
Last Updated on February 3, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD