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. 2022 Jun 3:127.
doi: 10.48101/ujms.v127.8676. eCollection 2022.

Obesity in adolescents associated with vascular aging - a study using ultra-high-resolution ultrasound

Tord Naessen  1 , Peter Bergsten  2 , Tobias Lundmark  1 , Anders Forslund  1
Affiliations

Obesity in adolescents associated with vascular aging - a study using ultra-high-resolution ultrasound

Tord Naessen et al. Ups J Med Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Obesity in adolescents is increasing worldwide and associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk later in life. In a group-comparative study, we investigated the association between adiposity in adolescents and signs of vascular aging and inflammation.

Methods: Thirty-nine adolescents (10-18 years old), 19 with obesity and 20 with normal weight, were enrolled. The intima thickness and intima/media thickness ratio (I/M) were assessed using high-resolution ultrasound in the common carotid artery (center frequency 22 MHz) and the distal radial artery (RA; 50 MHz). Increased intima and high I/M are signs of vascular aging. Body characteristics, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasma lipids, and glycemic parameters were measured.

Results: Adolescents with obesity, compared to normal-weight peers, had elevated plasma lipid, insulin c-peptide, and hs-CRP levels, the latter increasing exponentially with increasing adiposity. Obese adolescents had a thicker RA intima layer [0.005 mm; 95% confidence intervals (0.000, 0.009); P = 0.043] and a higher RA I/M [0.10; (0.040, 0.147); P < 0.0007]. Group differences for the RA I/M remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, fasting plasma insulin, and body mass index, both separately and together (P = 0.032). The RA I/M was correlated with hs-CRP, and both were correlated with the analyzed cardiovascular risk factors. Receiver operating curve c-values for RA I/M (0.86) and hs-CRP (0.90) strongly indicated correct placement in the obese or non-obese group.

Conclusions: Adolescents with obesity had significantly more extensive vascular aging in the muscular RA, than normal-weight peers. The findings support an inflammatory link between obesity and vascular aging in adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent; carotid IMT; inflammation; intima thickness; intima/media thickness ratio; obesity; radial artery; subclinical atherosclerosis; ultra-high-resolution ultrasound (UHRU); vascular aging.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (A) and radial artery intima/media thickness ratios (B) in adolescents with and without obesity. P < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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