Aortic stiffness and content of adipokines in the serum in persons of European and South Asian ethnic

Aim. To evaluate the cardiovascular risk (CVR) based on arterial stiffness and content of adipokines in young-aged persons of different ethnicity (European and South Asian).

Materials and methods. 290 persons of European (Slavic) and South Asian (Korean) ethnicity aged from 19 to 49 years with and without arterial hypertension (AH) were examined. Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory examinations were performed, levels of resistin and adiponectin of blood were assessed. Total CVR was assessed by SCORE scale, patients under the age of 40 years were assessed by relative risk scale. Aortic stiffness was examined by non-invasive arteriography.

Results. Patients of European ethnicity had higher blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), levels of resistin and adiponectin. Pulse wave velocity in the aorta (PWVA) did not differ significantly in ethnic groups. According to the SCORE scale in individuals of the European and South Asian races in general groups and groups with arterial hypertension a moderate absolute risk was determined, in individuals under 40 years of age a moderate relative risk was determined without a significant difference between the groups. However increased levels of PWVA (more than 10 m/s) were registered more often in Korean ethnicity (46.9% compared to Slavic ethnicity, 22.2%). Closer reliable correlations between the level of BP and BMI, WC, PWVA were revealed in Korean ethnicity. Ethnic differences in correlation of adipokines in blood and their dependence on anthropometric and hemodynamic characteristics were described.

Conclusion. The assessment of CVR according to traditional scales does not always accurately represent its real level. New information was obtained on the features of adipokine metabolism and its connections with early manifestations of vascular remodeling in young-aged depending on the race. Taking into account ethnic differences, we recommend in-depth diagnostics of CVR in South Asians. The data can be useful for the design of personalized programs for the diagnostics and assessment of CVR.