Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis: role of inflammation, cholesterol, hypertensive load and sex in rotational shift work in the Arctic

Objective. To study feasibility of atherosclerotic plaque (AP) detection in individuals working in the Arctic via rotating shifts (ARS) regarding sex, arterial hypertension (HTN), immune inflammation. Design and methods. In Yamburg village (68° 21’ 40” N), 99 males (M) and 81 females (F) with HTN 1,2 stages and normotensive individuals, comparable in age, work experience in ARS, office blood pressure (BP) were examined. Ultrasound examination of carotid arteries, biochemical blood test was performed. Statistica 8,0 (Stat Soft, USA), IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (IBM, USA). Results. Analysis was conducted in M and F groups with AP (n = 98) / without AP (n = 82): among them 57 M (58%), 41 F (51%) were with AP, Рχ2 = 0,6116; with/without HTN. In HTN M, more often than in normotensive M, AP was visualized in carotid arteries lumen: 72% (44 out of 61) vs 34% (13 out of 38), Рχ2 = 0,0209. Probability of AP in M was associated with highly sensitive C-reactive protein (p = 0,052), level of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL CH) (p = 0,038), C-peptide (p = 0,004), interleukin IL‑6 (p = 0,048); with level of VLDL CH (p = 0,052) in F only. In M with AP, strong association with mean daily BP parameters was found. Conclusions. Carotid AP associated with HTH in ARS was frequently detected in M. Regardless of PB, AP in M was associated with systemic inflammation, raise of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase in VLDL CH level. According to logistic regression data in W, lipid metabolism disorders, hormonal changes and metabolic changes, but not immune inflammation, increased the chance of AP imaging in carotid arteries. In HTN M and F, AP was associated with systemic inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokines due to HTN presence.

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