Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Common Hypertriglyceridemia Genetic Variants in Patients with Systemic Erythematosus Lupus

Abstract Background and aims: SLE is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with an increased cardiovascular risk which is related with the characteristic dyslipidemia of SLE. This consists of an alteration of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism and an increased concentration of apoB containing particles. The objective of this study is to know the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis and to analyze its relationship with dyslipidemia and its related genetic factors in a population of SLE patients. Methods: Seventy-one SLE female were recruited. A carotid ultrasound was performed to evaluate the presence of atheromatous plaques and cIMT. Lipid profile and analysis of ZPR1, APOA5 and GCKR genes were carried out. SLE patients were analyzed according to the presence or absence of carotid plaques. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between lipid parameters and these allelic variants involved in triglyceride metabolism. Results: SLE patients with carotid plaque had higher concentrations of plasma triglyceride than SLE patients without carotid plaque (1.5 vs 0.9 mmol/L, respectively, p=0.001), Non-HDLC (3.5 vs 3.1 mmol/L, p= 0.025) and apoB (1.0 vs 0.9 g/L, p=0.010). GCKR (c.1337C>T) C-allele was observed in 83.3% and 16.7% (p=0.047) of patients with and without carotid plaque, respectively. The GCKR (c.1337C>T) CC genotype (OR= 0.03; [95% CI] [0.002 to 0.53], p=0.016), and triglyceride concentrations (OR= 7.57; [95% CI] [1.43 to 40.19], p=0.017) were independently associated with the diagnosis of carotid plaque. Conclusions: plasma triglyceride concentration and CGKR CC homozygosity for CGKR gene are independent predictive factors of carotid atherosclerosis in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Keywords: triglycerides, CGKR gene, Non-HDLC, atherosclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus.