OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with risks to cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODSBlood pressure, body weight, body height, waist circumference and lifestyle risk factors were measured and studied among 2589 participants in Inner Mongolia of China, and biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), and angiotensin II were investigated.

RESULTSSubjects with metabolic risk factors for CVD had higher levels of hsCRP, sE-selectin and sICAM-1 than those without such risk factors (all P<0.05). Levels of all biomarkers positively and significantly increased with aggregation of the metabolic risk factors among the subjects (all P for trend <0.001). Data from the multivariate analysis showed that participants with high levels of hsCRP [odds ratio (OR): 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52-2.53], sE-selectin (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.72), and angiotensin II (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.40-2.33) were more likely to develop hypertension; participants with high levels of hsCRP (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.85-2.94), sE-selectin (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54), and sICAM-1 (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.30-2.22) were more likely to develop dyslipidemia, and those with high levels of hsCRP (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 2.27-3.83) and sICAM-1(OR: 2.80, 95% CI: 2.06-3.80) were more likely to develop hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSIONBiomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were separately associated with relevant metabolic risk factors for CVD. And appropriate measures should be taken to control inflammation and improve endothelial function among individuals with different metabolic risk factors for CVD.