The correlation of ST2,hs-CRP,carotid intima-media thickness and carotid atherosclerosis

Objective To analyze the correlation of suppression of tumorigenicity 2(ST2), high sensitive C reactive protein(hs-CRP), intima media thickness(IMT)level and the severity of carotid atherosclerosis(AS), and the effect of atherosclerotic plaques on the levels of ST2,hs-CRP and IMT. Methods ELISA and immune turbidimetry assay were used to determine the levels of serum ST2 and hs-CRP in 117 patients with carotid atherosclerosis(light, medium,severe carotid atherosclerosis patients were 37 cases, 31 cases, 49 cases, respectively) and 103 normal people. Carotid artery IMT and atherosclerosis plaque properties were evaluated by high resolution ultrasound. Results The results in patients with the levels of IMT(0.87 ±0.19),ST2(1283.44±197.52) and hs-CRP(7.35±3.94) of carotid atherosclerosis patients were significantly higher than those of normal people [IMT(0.29±0.13), ST2(692.68±175.84), hs-CRP(2.64±2.05)],P 0.01. The levels of carotid artery IMT, ST2 and hs-CRP were significantly different among the severe,moderate and mild atherosclerosis patients(P 0.01 or P 0.05).The levels of IMT,ST2 and hs-CRP of the severe atherosclerosis with vulnerable plaque were significantly higher than those with stable plaque(P0.01). The levels of ST2and high sensitive C reactive protein were positively correlated with the carotid artery intima-media thickness(r were0.295 and 0.363, all P 0.01). Conclusion The levels of IMT, ST2 and high sensitivity C reactive protein can be used to evaluate the nature of the atherosclerotic plaque and the severity of atherosclerosis.