Associations of Klotho protein level and blood lipid parameters with carotid atherosclerosis in men

Aim of the study was to investigate the association of serum Klotho protein content and lipid parameters with atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries (BCA) in men.

Material and methods. A cross-sectional comparative study that included men aged 50–65 years (n = 63, age 54 [53; 60] years (median [lower quartile; upper quartile])) underwent ultrasound examination of BCA at the outpatient department of the Institute of Internal and Preventive Medicine. Biochemical parameters were determined by standard enzymatic methods. Serum concentration of Klotho protein was measured by enzyme immunoassay.

Results. A trend towards content of Klotho protein in serum was found in the group of persons with BCA atherosclerosis compared to the group without BCA atherosclerosis (705 [463; 1255] and 447 [282; 881] pg/ml, respectively, p = 0.061). Also, in men of this group, higher level of triglycerides (TG) (1.7 [1.1; 2.2] and 1.4 [0.9; 1.8] mmol/l, p = 0.046) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content (1.1 [0.8; 1.3] m 1.4 [0.9; 1.6] mmol/l, p = 0.016) has been found. Correlation analysis in the group of men with BCA atherosclerosis revealed a direct relationship of Klotho protein with TG level (0.290; p = 0.031) and a negative relationship with HDL-C content (–0.361; p = 0.046). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of atherosclerotic plaques presence in BCA increased by 1.2 times (95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 1.0–1.4, p = 0.038) with increasing age and by 9.2 times (95 % CI 2, 3–36.5, p = 0.002) in the presence of hypertension.

Conclusions. In a clinical sample of men aged 50–65 years, the relative risk of carotid atherosclerosis is directly associated with age and the presence of hypertension and is not associated with the level of Klotho serum protein.

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