Distribution and Cardiovascular Risk Correlates of Plasma Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Levels in Asymptomatic Young Adults from a Biracial Community: The Bogalusa Heart Study

PURPOSE: That circulating soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease is well recognized. However, information is scant regarding the distribution and cardiovascular (CV) risk correlates of sICAM-1 in asymptomatic young adults. METHODS: Plasma sICAM-1 was measured in 1,184 black and white persons in the Bogalusa Heart Study cohort (70% white, 43% male), aged 24 to 44 years. CV risk was assessed in terms of CV risk factors, status of parental CV disease, and composite carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). RESULTS: sICAM-1 levels displayed race difference (whites > blacks, p < 0.0001), but no sex difference. In multivariate analysis including age, race, sex, smoking status, waist circumference, mean arterial pressure, low- and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) cholesterols, triglycerides, insulin resistance index, C-reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin, the significant predictors of sICAM-1, in order of entry, were race (white > black), smoking, CRP, and waist circumference. Furthermore, there was a smoking by waist circumference interaction in that smoking attenuated the magnitude of correlation between waist circumference and sICAM-1. Levels of sICAM-1 adjusted for age, race, sex, and smoking increased with number of metabolic syndrome components (p for trend < 0.01); positive family history of CV disease (p < 0.05); and increased in composite carotid IMT specific for age, race, and sex (p for trend < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the potential value of plasma sICAM-1 as an additional biomarker for CV risk among asymptomatic young adults. Ann Epidemiol 2010;20:53-59. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.