Beyond Cholesterol – New Cardiovascular Biomarkers

Obesity is an endemic associated with various pathological conditions and sequelae, of which atherosclerosis is one of the most serious. Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition that starts early in life but the symptoms are often subclinical. In this presentation, Mangge introduced two obesity and atherosclerosis biobanks, ─ STYJOBS and EDECTA. Further, he explained the essential mechanisms related to atherosclerosis. As vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques contribute to potentially fatal clinical endpoints like myocardial infarction and stroke, biomarkers can help with early detection. It is known that blood lipids, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels are increased, but insufficiently to indicate the process of critical perpetuation anteceding endpoints. More specific biomarkers (eg, troponin, natriuretic peptides) can detect acute coronary syndrome or cardiac insufficiency but not destabilization of atherosclerotic lesions. Macrophage and T-cell polarization as well as innate and adaptive immune responses appear to be critically involved in plaque destablization. Mangge presented an overview of new biomarkers that could potentially address these important factors.