Aim: A noninvasive approach to assess atherosclerosis in young people is of great concern. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) reflect the arterial conditions, although the CAVI has not fully been studied in Russian populations. This study aimed to determine the CAVI and ABI in young Russians, to compare these findings with those in their Japanese peers and to investigate the lifestyle correlates and genetic associations with the CAVI and ABI in the Russians.
Methods: In addition to several atherosclerotic parameters and self-reported lifestyle factors, the CAVI and ABI levels were measured in 114 Russians (mean 21 years). Four gene polymorphisms, including cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B polymorphism, were typed in some of the subjects.
Results: The Russians exhibited significantly higher CAVI levels compared to their Japanese counterparts (5.87 vs. 5.36; p＜0.05), while the ABI levels were similar between the two populations. In the Russians, the ABI was significantly correlated with the mean blood pressure (r=-0.26) and heart rate (r=-0.43), while the CAVI did not show such correlations. No significant associations existed between lifestyle-related factors and the CAVI or ABI levels. A lower ABI level was found in carriers with the T-allele of CETP Taq1B in the Russians.
Conclusions: The reference CAVI value can be specified for individual ethnic populations. Our findings suggest that Russians may develop atherosclerosis-related conditions at a younger age compared to Japanese subjects, although this must be verified in additional studies. The possible association between CETP polymorphisms and the ABI deserves further investigation.