Aldosterone, inactive matrix gla-protein, and large artery stiffness in hypertension

摘要

Vascular calcification leads to increased large artery stiffness. Matrix gla-protein (MGP) is a vitamin K–dependent protein that inhibits arterial calcification. Aldosterone promotes vascular calcification and stiffness, but the relationships between aldosterone, MGP, and arterial stiffness are unknown. We studied 199 adults (predominantly older men) with hypertension. We assessed the relationship between levels of dephospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), aldosterone, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) using standard regression and mediation analyses. Plasma aldosterone was measured in a subgroup of subjects (n?=?106). Aldosterone was strongly associated with dp-ucMGP (standardized β?=?0.50,P?