Plasma Betatrophin Levels and Carotid Atherosclerosis.

Aims: Betatrophin is a recently identified circulating adipokine that may affect lipid and glucose metabolism. However, the association between plasma betatrophin levels and carotid atherosclerosis has not been elucidated.

Methods: We investigated plasma betatrophin levels in 153 subjects undergoing carotid ultrasonography. The severity of plaque was evaluated as plaque score.

Results: Of the 153 subjects, plaque was found in 63 (41%). Plasma betatrophin levels were higher in 63 subjects with plaque than in 90 without plaque (median 906 vs. 729 pg/mL, P < 0.025). A stepwise increase in betatrophin levels was found depending on the plaque score: 729 pg/mL in score = 0 ( n = 90), 802 pg/mL in score = 1 ( n = 31), and 978 pg/mL in score ≥ 2 ( n = 32) ( P < 0.01). In particular, betatrophin levels in subjects with score ≥ 2 were higher than in those with score = 0 ( P < 0.05). Moreover, betatrophin levels correlated with plaque score ( r = 0.23, P < 0.01), but no significant correlation was found between betatrophin levels and triglyceride or HbA1c levels. The percentage of subjects with betatrophin > 800 pg/mL was higher in subjects with plaque than in those without plaque (65% vs. 44%) and was highest in score ≥ 2 (78%) ( P < 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, betatrophin level was not a significant factor for the presence of plaque but was a significant factor for plaque score ≥ 2, independent of atherosclerotic risk factors. The odds ratio for score ≥ 2 was 4.9 (95% CI = 1.9-12.8) for betatrophin > 800 pg/mL.

Conclusions: Plasma betatrophin levels were found to be high in subjects with carotid plaque and to be associated with the severity of plaque. Betatrophin may play a role in the progression of carotid atherosclerosis.