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The relationship between soluble CD40 ligand level and atherosclerosis in white-coat hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 32, pages 40–45 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

This study was designed to examine the distribution of plasma soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), and its relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in healthy controls and subjects with white-coat hypertension (WCH) or hypertension (HT). Thirty-five patients with HT, 35 patients with WCH, and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. The normal group (CIMT < 0.9 mm), subclinical atherosclerosis group (0.9 mm ≤ CIMT < 1.2 mm) and atherosclerosis group (CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm) were grouped based on the value of CIMT. The highest level of sCD40L was observed in HT group, followed by WCH group and healthy controls. The level of sCD40L was significantly increased in atherosclerosis group compared with subclinical atherosclerosis group and healthy controls. In the WCH group, sCD40L level was significantly and positively correlated with CIMT and systolic blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression indicated that sCD40L was a risk factor for increased CIMT (odds ratio, 1.504; 95% confidence interval, 1.054–1.956, P < 0.001). The data provided evidence that sCD40L levels in subjects with WCH and HT were significantly and consistently higher than those in healthy controls. SCD40L may represent a potential non-invasive atherosclerosis marker in WCH patients.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the participating volunteers for their efforts and contributions. This work was supported by grants from the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (No. 2015A030313660), the Technology Project Foundation of Guangzhou (No. 2014y2-00140, No. 1563000381, No. 201604020018, No. 201604020186) and the Technology Project Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2014B020212008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coronary Disease, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510080, China

    Yu-qing Huang, LI Jie, Ji-yan Chen, Cheng Huang & Ying-qing Feng

  2. Department of General Practice, Community Health Center of Liaobu County, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523400, China

    Song-tao Tang

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  1. Yu-qing Huang
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Correspondence to Ying-qing Feng.

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Huang, Yq., Jie, L., Chen, Jy. et al. The relationship between soluble CD40 ligand level and atherosclerosis in white-coat hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 32, 40–45 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-017-0016-z

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