Biochemical aspects of carotid artery plaque [Aspetti biochimici della placca ateromatosa carotidea]

Background. The purpose of this study was to examine and quantify a series of biochemical parameters (proteins, nucleic acids, hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid, allantoin, free radicals, electrolytes, lipids and fatty acids) in carotid atheromatous plaque. Some of these substances were compared with the corresponding plasma values. Methods. Carotid artery plaque samples and plasma samples were obtained from 95 subjects (76 male, 80% and 19 female, 20%) of average age 73 years (73±5 years) subjected to carotid thromboendarteriectomy. Forty-six of these subjects were symptomatic and 49 asymptomatic. Stenosis <70% was present in 46 patients while in 49 stenosis was ≥70%. The plaque was characterised morphologically by echo color-Doppler. The methods adopted, and at times modified, for the extraction and quantitative analysis of the various biochemical parameters analysed, starting from often only small quantities of plaque, are described. Results. The results showed that plaque presents various significant differences in various metabolites that are not always related to the clinical data. Conclusions. Even though at the moment it is not possible to reach definitive conclusions, of all the substances analysed the parameters for oxidative stress and the study of nucleic acids and proteoma are the most promising and interesting fields for characterising plaque "at risk".