Relationship of β2-microglobulin to arterial stiffness in Japanese subjects

Abstract

β2-Microglobulin (β2m) is related to inflammatory diseases, but there have been few reports of a relationship between β2m and atherosclerosis. We have examined the influence of β2m on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to clarify whether it is related to arterial stiffness. baPWV, β2m, C-reactive protein (CRP), and conventional risk factors were measured in 614 males and 158 females. The adjusted means of baPWV were compared with the quartiles of β2m, and significant differences in baPWV were observed across the quartiles of β2m (p=0.037). After being adjusted for potential confounders, quartile 4 of β2m, quartile 4 of CRP, and the combination of high β2m plus high CRP were significantly associated with a high value of PWV (quartile 4 of β2m: odds ratio [OR] 2.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-4.89; quartile 4 of CRP: OR 2.27, 95% CI, 1.18-4.34; high β2m plus high CRP: OR 5.60, 95% CI, 2.38-13.2). These results suggest that β2m is associated with an increase of arterial stiffness. Further studies are needed to clarify whether β2m is related to atherosclerotic diseases: and whether the combination of β2m and CRP measurement is a useful predictor for the development of atherosclerosis.