Associations of adipokine levels with the prevalence and extent of valvular and thoracic aortic calcification: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sweeney, Ty; Ogunmoroti, Oluseye; Ndumele, Chiadi E.; Zhao, Di; Varma, Bhavya; Allison, Matthew A.; Budoff, Matthew J.; Fashanu, Oluwaseun E.; Sharma, Apurva; Bertoni, Alain G.; Michos, Erin D.
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 338(2021)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Adipokines -- Atherosclerosis -- Risk factors -- Valvular calcium -- Thoracic calcium -- Epidemiology -- Obesity; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Extra-coronary calcification (ECC) is a marker of atherosclerosis and independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adipokines may mediate the effect of obesity on atherosclerosis. However, the relationship of adipokines with ECC is not well-established. We examined the associations of leptin, resistin and adiponectin with ECC in a diverse community-based cohort. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1897 adults without clinical CVD in the MESA cohort. Serum adipokine levels and non-contrast cardiac CT scans were obtained at Exam 2 or 3 (randomly assigned). ECC was quantified by Agatston score and included calcification of the mitral annulus (MAC), aortic valve (AVC), ascending thoracic aorta (ATAC) and descending thoracic aorta (DTAC). We used multivariable regression to evaluate the associations between leptin, resistin and adiponectin [per 1 SD ln(adipokine] with ECC prevalence (score >0) and extent [ln(score+1)]. Results: The mean age of participants was 65 ± 10 years; 49% women. After adjusting for demographic factors, adiponectin was inversely associated with AVC prevalence and extent; leptin positively associated with MAC prevalence and extent; and resistin positively associated with ATAC prevalence and extent and DTAC extent. After adjustment for BMI and other CVD risk factors, adiponectin remained inversely associated with AVC prevalence, and resistin remained associated with greater ATAC prevalence and extent. Leptin was not associated with measures of ECC after full adjustment. No adipokine was associated with MAC after full adjustment. Conclusions: We identified significant associations between select adipokines and specific markers of ECC. Adipokines may play a role in the development of systemic atherosclerosis. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Adiponectin, resistin, and leptin levels are dysregulated in obese individuals. Low adiponectin levels were associated with aortic valve calcification progression. Higher resistin levels were associated with thoracic aortic calcification progression. Leptin does not appear to be associated with extra-coronary calcification. There is complex interplay between obesity, adipokine levels, and atherosclerosis.