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. 2023 Sep 13;13(18):2938.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13182938.

The Association of suPAR with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young and Healthy Adults

Niklas Fabio Wohlwend  1 , Kirsten Grossmann  2   3 , Stefanie Aeschbacher  4 , Ornella C Weideli  2   5 , Julia Telser  2   3 , Martin Risch  2   6 , David Conen  7 , Lorenz Risch  2   3   8
Affiliations

The Association of suPAR with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young and Healthy Adults

Niklas Fabio Wohlwend et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), as a correlate of chronic low-grade inflammation, may be used to predict individual cardiovascular risk. Since chronic low-grade inflammation is thought to be associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, this study aimed to evaluate if suPAR plasma levels are correlated with cardiovascular risk factors in young and healthy adults (aged 25-41 years). Consequently, data from the GAPP (genetic and phenotypic determinants of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors) study were used to investigate suPAR plasma levels in relation to the following cardiovascular risk factors and laboratory parameters: BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking status, blood pressure parameters, glucose status, and lipid levels. Additionally, suPAR was compared to the healthy lifestyle score and the Framingham score representing the overall cardiovascular risk profile. These associations were assessed using two different statistical approaches. Firstly, all cardiovascular risk factors and scores were compared amongst sex-specific suPAR plasma levels with ANOVA analysis. Secondly, sex-specific multivariable linear regressions were performed. Female participants had higher plasma suPAR levels than male participants (1.73 ng/mL versus 1.50 ng/mL; p < 0.001). A significant inverse correlation between suPAR plasma levels and HDL cholesterol was found in men (p = 0.001) and women (p < 0.001). Furthermore, male (p < 0.001) and female participants (p < 0.001) who smoked showed significantly higher plasma levels of suPAR (p < 0.001). For male participants, an inverse correlation of the healthy lifestyle score with suPAR plasma levels (p = 0.001) and a positive correlation of the Framingham score with suPAR plasma levels (p < 0.001) were detected. In women, no such correlation was found. The cholesterol levels (p = 0.001) and HbA1c (p = 0.008) correlated significantly with plasma suPAR levels in female participants. suPAR plasma levels were found to be strongly associated with certain cardiovascular risk factors; however, sex-specific differences were found. These sex-specific differences might be explained by the higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in men resulting in a stronger correlation of suPAR as a marker of low-grade inflammation, since the existence of the risk factors already led to subclinical damage in men. Further research on suPAR levels in an older study population is needed.

Keywords: biomarkers; cardiovascular risk; prevention; soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR).

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Conflict of interest statement

David Conen has received consulting fees from Roche Diagnostics and Trimedics, as well as speaker fees from Servier and BMS/Pfizer, all outside of the current work. Lorenz Risch and Martin Risch are key shareholders of the Dr Risch Medical Laboratory. The other authors have no financial or personal conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study population.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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