Abstract Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in atherogenesis and since glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) provide protection against OS, we have tested the hypothesis that deletion polymorphisms in two GSTs (GSTM1 and GSTT1) may affect the risk of developing atherosclerosis. A total of 382 individuals (200 patients with atherosclerosis and 182 healthy controls) were included in this association study. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells or from buccal epithelial cells and genotyping was performed using multiplex-PCR or real-time PCR methods. GSTM1 null genotype was significantly more frequent in atherosclerotic patients than in controls (52.0% vs 34.1%) and individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype had an approximately 2-fold increase in atherosclerosis risk (OR: 2.1, 95%CI=1.39-3.17, P=0.0004). GSTT1 null genotype alone did not show a statistically significant effect on atherosclerosis risk modulation, but the association approached significance (OR: 1.57, 95%CI=0.94-2.64, P=0.08). The combined analysis showed that the presence of both genes had a protective effect against atherosclerosis (OR=0.55, 95%CI=0.37-0.83, P=0.005) while double null genotypes led to a robust atherosclerosis risk increase (OR: 8.14, 95%CI= 2.41-27.51, P < 0.0001). This study demonstrated that the GSTM1 null and combined GSTM1/GSTT1 null genotypes are susceptibility factors for development of atherosclerosis in a Serbian population.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis. Aim: To estimate the frequency of MetS in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease, and to compare clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic characteristics of patients with and without MetS. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study of 657 consecutive patients (412 males) with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. Carotid atherosclerosis was estimated by high resolution B-mode ultrasonography. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) M criteria were used for estimation of MetS. Results: Metabolic syndrome was present in 55.6% of studied patients. Among patients with metabolic syndrome there was a significantly higher proportion of women, and mean values ofbody weight, body mass index, waist circumference, percentage of body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and glucose were significantly higher. Mean values of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and alcohol consumption were significantly lower in patients with MetS. No differences between patients with or without MetS, were observed for age, smoking, mean values of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high sensitive C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, and for degree of carotidstenosis or severity of clinical manifestations. Conclusion: Half of these patients with carotid stenosis have features of the metabolic syndrome.

Antecedentes: El síndrome metabólico se asocia a un mayor riesgo de ateroesclerosis carotídea. Objetivo: Evaluar la frecuencia de síndrome metabólico en pacientes con ateroesclerosis carotídea sintomática y comparar las características clínicas, bioquímicas y ultrasonográficas en pacientes con y sin síndrome metabólico. Material y método: Estudio transversal de 657 pacientes consecutivos (412 varones) con ateroesclerosis carotídea sintomática. El síndrome metabólico fue diagnosticado de acuerdo a los criterios del National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) III. la ateroesclerosis carotídea se investigó mediante ultrasonografía de alta resolución modo B. Resultados: Se diagnosticó síndrome metabólico en 55.6% de los pacientes estudiados. Entre los sujetos portadores del síndrome había una mayor proporción de mujeres y el peso, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia de cintura, porcentaje de grasa corporal, presión arterial sistólica y diastólica y niveles séricos de triglicéridos, colesterol total y glicemia fueron mayores. los valores promedio de colesterol HDI y de consumo de alcohol fueron significativamente menores en los pacientes con síndrome metabólico. los pacientes con el síndrome consumían menos alcohol y tenían niveles de colesterol HDI más bajos. No se encontraron diferencias entre sujetos con y sin síndrome metabólico en edad, tabaquismo, lipoproteínas de baja densidad, proteína C reactiva ultrasensible, fibrinógeno, grado de estenosis carotídea o severidad de sus manifestaciones clínicas. Conclusiones: la mitad de estos pacientes con estenosis carotídea tiene un síndrome metabólico.