Association Between High Serum Ferritin Levels And Atherosclerosis

Background and Purpose:Several studies have provided evidences for a relationship between body iron load and atherosclerosis. But debate still exists. I did the study to evaluate the relationships of serum ferritin (SF) with atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular risk factors.Methods:Intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque prevalence in the carotid arteries were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound among 128 patients with high risks of atherosclerosis. The Crouse was scored. Patients were separated to normal and abnormal group according to:(1) Whether the IMT≥0.9mm or nor; (2) Whether the plaque existed or not. The level of SF was measured by ferritin RIA. The levels of HBA1C%, LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and TG were measured unified in the Centralab.Results:1) The SF was significantly higher in the abnormal group than that in the normal group(P<0.05); Patients were significantly older in the abnormal group than that in the normal group (P<0.05); The LDL-C was significantly higher in the abnormal group than that in the normal group(P<0.05). The morbidity rates of hypertension and diabetes were significantly higher in the abnormal group than that in the normal group(P<0.05).2) There were no independent associations between serum ferritin levels and IMT(IMTmean, IMTmax). The Crouse scores of patients with SF≥200μg/L was significantly higher than those with SF<200μg/L(P<0.05). The level of SF was positive correlated with the Crouse score on correlation and regression analysis (r=0.490,P <0.05).3) The level of SF was correlated with age, LDL-C on correlation analysis(r=0.387, P<0.05; r=0.408, P<0.05). Synergistic relationship of serum ferritin levels with LDL-C as to association with atherosclerosis. The level of SF was not correlated with blood pressure and HBAlc% on correlation analysis.4) Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that Age, Diabetes, LDL-C and SF were file major risk factors for Atherosclerosis. (OR=1.042,2.021,1.740,1.072;P<0.05)。 Conclusions:The study identified a relationship between serum ferritin levels and atherosclerosis that was potentiated by LDL cholesterol. This relationship adds support to the hypothesis of a link between iron and atherosclerosis diseases. Objective:To investigate the relationship between the level of serum ferritin and coronary heart disease by measuring the concentration of serum ferritin.Methods:To measure the concentration of the level of serum ferritin in 41 patients with coronary heart disease and 27 patients without coronary heart disease; To explore the relationship between the level of serum ferritin and Gensini scores by correlated analysis.Results:1)The level of serum ferritin was significantly increased in patients with coronary heart disease (P<0.05); Patients were significantly older in the CHD group than that in the normal group(P <0.05); The LDL-C was significantly higher in the CHD group than that in the normal group(P<0.05). The morbidity rates of diabetes were significantly higher in the CHD group than that in the normal group (P <0.05).2) The level of SF was positive correlated with the Gensini scores on correlation analysis (r=0.574, P<0.05)Conclusions:The level of serum ferritin is higher in patients with CHD than that of without; The higher level of serum ferritin, the more serious coronary artery stenosis. The results suggest that the level of serum ferritin can be used as one of index of severity of coronary heart disease.