Soluble cell adhesion molecules in hypertriglyceridemia and potential significance on monocyte adhesion

Abstract

Hypertriglyceridemia may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis by increasing expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Although the cellular expression of CAMs is difficult to assess clinically, soluble forms of CAMs (sCAMs) are present in the circulation and may serve as markers for CAMs. In this study, we examined the association between sCAMs and other risk factors occurring with hypertriglyceridemia, the effect of triglyceride reduction on sCAM levels, and the role of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in monocyte adhesion in vitro. Compared with normal control subjects (n=20), patients with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL (n=39) had significantly increased levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) (316±28.8 versus 225±16.6 ng/mL), sVCAM-1 (743±52.2 versus 522±43.6 ng/mL), and soluble E-selectin (83±5.9 versus 49 3/4 .6 ng/ml). ANCOVA showed that the higher sCAM levels in patients occurred independently of diabetes mellitus and other risk factors. In 27 patients who received purified n-3 fatty acid (Omacor) 4 g/d for ≤7 months, triglyceride level was reduced by 47±4.6%, sICAM-1 level was reduced by 9±3.4% (P=.02), and soluble E-selectin level was reduced by 16±3.2% (P