Adrenomedullin is a marker of carotid plaques and intima-media thickness as well as brachial pulse pressure

Background:Adrenomodulin (ADM) is a peptide hormone secreted in response to cellular strain such as ischemia and is believed to have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. However, the epidemiological relationships between ADM and measurements of haemodynamics, arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the mid-regional part of pro-ADM (MR-proADM) and brachial pulse pressure (PP), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid atherosclerosis.Method:This study has a cross-sectional design and includes 4924 individuals (mean age 58 years, 40% men) from Malmo, Sweden, examined between 1991 and 1994. Participants underwent physical examination, measurement of MR-proADM and ultrasound of the carotid arteries.Results:There was a positive association between MR-proADM and brachial PP, cIMT as well as a carotid plaque score. The associations were significant after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and smoking.Conclusion:ADM is positively associated with brachial PP and both carotid IMT and plaques, suggesting a role for ADM in early haemodynamic pathophysiology related to arteriosclerosis and the atherosclerotic plaque development.