Significant Association of ApoB/ApoA-I Ratio with Arterial Stiffness in Treated Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have demonstrated that the ratio of apolipoproteins B and apolipoprotein A-I is a better predictor of cardiovascular disease than conventional parameters of dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio is related to arterial stiffness in a population of treated, hypertensive patients. Methods: The study group consisted of 657 treated hypertension patients. The pulse wave velocity was determined by measuring hfPWV and baPWV with a VP-1000 pulse wave unit. Results: The average age of the study population was 55.9±10.1 years of age (range, 30 to 78) with 398 (60.7%) being male. The average ApoB level was 79.9±21.2 mg/dL and the average ApoAI level was 138.7±24.0 mg/dL. The average ApoB/ApoAI ratio was 0.60±0.19. The ApoB/ApoAI ratio was significantly lower in males due to the lower level of ApoAI. After controlling for age, gender, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, DM, body mass index (BMI), statins and smoking, ApoB/ApoAI was significantly associated with both hfPWV (R2 = 0.505, β = 0.068, P = 0.020) and baPWV (R2 = 0.480, β = 0.074, P = 0.013). Subgroup analysis revealed that the significant association of ApoB/ApoAI was significant only for the male population. [hfPWV (R2 = 0.562, β = 0.108, P = 0.003) and baPWV (R2 = 0.467, β = 0.104, P = 0.008)]. Conclusion: We demonstrated, for the first time, a significant association of ApoB/ApoAI with baPWV and hfPWV in treated, male hypertension patients, after adjustment for confounding factors and medications.