OBJECTIVE : To investigate the relations of circulating adhesion molecule vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) with carotid artery elasticity in patients with impaired glucose regulation (IGR). METHODS : A total of 208 subjects were enrolled from January 2013 to March 2014. One hundred forty-eight were IGR patients, and 60 had normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid artery pressure-strain elasticity coefficient (Eρ), stiffness (β), arterial compliance (AC), and pulse wave velocity (PWVβ), as well as blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, blood lipids, insulin resistance index, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 were measured and compared between IGR and NGT patients. RESULTS : Eρ, β and PWVβ were significantly higher in the IGR group than in the NGT group (P<0.05), but the IMT showed no significant difference (P>0.05). VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were significantly higher in the IGR group than in the NGT group (P<0.05). VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were positively correlated with Eρ, β, and PWVβ and negatively correlated with AC in IGR patients. CONCLUSIONS : Changes in carotid artery elasticity and endothelial dysfunction are found in patients with IGR. Early comprehensive intervention should be performed in such IGR populations.
