The relationship of high sensitive C-reative protein and homocysteine to carotic intimal-medial thickness in IGT patients

Objective To investigate the relationship of carotic intimal-medial thickness (IMT) to high sensitive C-reative protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) in IGT patients. Methods Seventy patients with IGT were divided into two groups by carotic IMT levels: IMT normal group( IMT≤0.9 mm) and IMT increased group(IMT>0.9 mm). Sixty healthy people were chosen as controls. Blood-lipid, hs-CRP, Hcy, BMI, SBP and DBP were measured in all subjects. Results The Hcy and hs-CRP levels in IGT group were higher than those in controls (P<0.01) ,and also the carotic SBP,DBP,TG and TC levels were higher than those in controls(P<0.05). The Hcy and hs-CRP levels in carotic IMT increased group were higher than those in IMT normal group(P<0.05). The levels of the carotic IMT is positively correlated with hs-CRP(r=0.616, P<0.01), Hcy(r=0.557 ,P<0.01), TC (r=0.351,P<0.05), SBP(r=0.252, P<0.05). Hcy is positively correlated with hs-CRP in IMT increased group (r=0.364, P<0.05). Conclusions Compare with controls, the IMT was higher in IGT patients, and it had the early stage of atherosclerosis (AS). Hcy and hs-CRP levels may predict the early stage of AS in IGT. The high level of Hcy may increase the level of hs-CRP,then lead to the early stage of AS. Key words: Impair glucose tolerance; Homocysteine; High sensitive C-reafive protein; Atherosclerosis