Cardiovascular diseases pose a serious threat to public health, and their prevalence is on the rise year by year. Vascular aging is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and endothelial cell senescence is an early event in vascular aging. Its occurrence can lead to endothelium-dependent vasodilation dysfunction, reduced vascular permeability, and the release of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These vascular pathological changes further damage the vascular media, leading to vascular remodeling and reduced compliance, accelerating the progression of atherosclerosis, and ultimately resulting in cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension. Recent research of the investigators has revealed that SNRK, a new member of the AMPK family of cellular energy sensors, plays a key regulatory role in vascular development. Based on this finding, the investigators propose the scientific hypothesis that SNRK responds to both physiological and pathological aging stimuli through differential mechanisms and regulates the process of endothelial cell senescence. In this study, the investigators will explore the correlation between SNRKAS and carotid vascular structure and endothelial function by measuring the levels of the SNRK upstream lncRNA (SNRKAS) in participants' peripheral blood, in conjunction with carotid ultrasound examinations. The findings will provide a solid scientific basis for elucidating new mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of vascular aging and for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
180
1. 10 mL of venous blood was drawn from each participant to measure blood lipids and serum levels of SNRKAS (using RT-qPCR), and to perform transcriptomic analysis. 2. Carotid ultrasound was used to measure circumferential strain and pulse wave velocity in both carotid arteries to assess the degree of arterial stiffness.
Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China
RECRUITINGSerum levels of SNRKAS detected by RT-PCR
serum levels of SNRKAS (fold change)
Time frame: At enrollment
Degree of bilateral carotid artery stenosis detected by Doppler ultrasound
Intima-media thickness (mm) and lumen diameter (mm) of bilateral common carotid artery and internal carotid artery
Time frame: At enrollment
Pulse wave velocity in both carotid arteries detected by Doppler ultrasound
Peak systolic velocity (cm/s) of bilateral common carotid artery and internal carotid artery
Time frame: At enrollment
Blood lipids levels detected by automated biochemical analyzer (LABOSPECT 008, Hitachi)
Total Cholesterol (mmol/L), Triglycerides (mmol/L), High-Density Lipoprotein (mmol/L), Low-Density Lipoprotein (mmol/L)
Time frame: At enrollment
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