[The relationship between the relative length of leukocyte telomeres and mtDNA copy number and acute coronary syndrome in a 15-year follow-up.]

OBJECTIVE: to study the association of relative leukocyte DNA telomere length with death from natural causes during a 15-year follow-up in a middle-aged and elderly Siberian population. Study of the association of the relative length of leukocyte telomeres (LTL) with fatal outcomes during a 15-year follow-up of a random population sample formed in 2003-2005 (n=9 360, 45-69 years old, Novosibirsk, HAPIEE project). The main group included the persons died from natural causes (except external) without a previous history of CVD and cancer (n=609); controls were stratified by sex and age (n=799). The analysis of relative LTL at baseline was performed using quantitative real-time PCR. We estimated the odds ratio of all-cause death per 1 decile shortening of LTD as a continuous variable in a multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. The carriers of shorter telomere carriers had an increased risk of death from natural causes over the next 15 years (OR=1,37, 95% CI 1,31-1,44) per decile of LTL decrease, regardless of other factors. The risk coefficients were similar for death from CVD (1,39), cancer (1,42), and other non-external causes (1,51). In studied middle-aged and elderly Siberian (Caucasoid) population cohort the LTL was an independent inverse predictor of the 15-year risk of death from natural causes.

[The relationship between the relative length of leukocyte telomeres and mtDNA copy number and acute coronary syndrome in a 15-year follow-up.]

We studied the relationship between the leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (CNmtDNA) and the development of acute coronary syndrome during 15 years of follow-up. A random population sample was examined at baseline in 2003-2005 (n=9 360, men and women 45-69 years old, Novosibirsk, the HAPIEE project) and followed-up for 15 years. In the frame of nested case-control design, we selected cases - incident myocardial infarction/acute coronary syndrome (MI/ACS) among those free from baseline CVD (n=256) and sex- and age-stratified control among those free from baseline CVD and cancer and alive by the end of follow-up (n=799). The relative LTL and CNmtDNA were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results. The carriers of shorter telomeres had increased 15-year risk of MI/ACS with adjusted OR=1,87 (95% CI 1,70-2,06) per 1 LTL decile independent of other factors. Fewer CNmtDNA was associated with increased risk of MI/ACS with adjusted OR=1,19 (95% CI 1,12-1,26) per 1 CNmtDNA decile. The identified associations were confirmed in tertile analysis and in stepwise analysis with continuous variables of both biomarkers. All associations persisted after adjusting for gender, age, and traditional CVD risk factors. Conclusion. The LTL and CNmtDNA were independent predictors of the 15-year risk of MI/ACS in the middle- and elderly Siberian (Caucasoid) population cohort. These findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms by which LTL and mtDNA copy number may affect human health.

Cell and Organism Technologies for Assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity in Fluid Environment.

Under conditions of COVID-19 pandemic, considerable amounts of SARS-CoV-2 contained in household, municipal, and medical wastewaters inevitably reach natural water bodies. Possible preservation of virus infectivity in liquid environment is of a paramount epidemiological importance. Experiments demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 is resistant to multiple freezing/thawing cycles and retains its infectivity in tap and river water for up to 2 days at 20°C and 7 days at 4°C. In natural milk, its viability is preserved in a refrigerator for 6 days. The exposure of aquarium fish to the virus-containing water fails to cause any infection.

[Inclisiran - a new era in lipid-lowering therapy].

Inclisiran is a novel hypolipidemic drug that inhibits synthesis of the PCSK9 protein through the process called RNA interference. Inclisiran is a double-stranded, modified RNA bound to the N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) carbohydrate molecule, a ligand of the acialoglycoprotein receptor, that is expressed by hepatocytes. After entering hepatocytes, inclisiran cleaves matrix RNA and, thereby, reduces the PCSK9 protein synthesis. This, in turn, enhances the uptake of circulating low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by specific receptors on hepatocytes, thereby lowering LDL levels in circulation. Efficacy and safety of inclisiran for lowering LDL cholesterol (C) in blood and its effect on the risk of clinical complications of atherosclerosis have been studied in the ORION program that includes multiple clinical trials. According to results of this program, inclisiran effectively reduces both LDL-C levels and the incidence of cardiovascular complications in the absence of clinically significant adverse reactions. An important advantage of inclisiran compared with other lipid-lowering drugs is the administration schedule (twice a year), which allows a considerable improvement of patients' compliance with the treatment and also of the effectiveness of the hypolipidemic treatment.

Development of a Purified Viral Preparation for Studies of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Biology.

Different methods for producing bulk quantities of concentrated and purified SARS-CoV-2 for the use as antigens and for the research into COVID-19 biology were tested.

[Surfactant proteins A and D: role in the pathogenesis of community-acquired pneumonia and possible predictive perspectives].

Community-acquired pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases and remains one of the leading causes of death in this group of diseases. Studies of community-acquired pneumonia are extremely relevant for modern clinical practice. One of the important role in the pathogenesis of bacterial, viral, fungal invasion in the system of a human lung system belongs to the pulmonary surfactant, in particular, its proteins SP-A and SP-D. This article reviews the well-known mechanisms of important biological properties of immunomodulatory activity of the proteins SP-A and SP-D in response to microbial infection in the lungs. The mechanisms of participation of surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D in the cascade of reactions that lead to severe life-threatening complications in community-acquired pneumonia are considered. The use of serum levels of surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D can help finding new diagnostic and prognostic approaches in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

[Association of polymorphisms of genes TCF7L2, FABP2, KCNQ1, ADIPOQ with the prognosis of the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus].

AIM: To study the possibility of using polymorphisms of genesTCF7L2,FABP2,KCNQ1,ADIPOQas markers for predicting the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in the population of Novosibirsk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of prospective observation of a representative population sample of residents of Novosibirsk (HAPIEE), 2 groups were formed according to the case-control principle (case people who had diabetes mellitus 2 over 10 years of observation, and control people who did not developed disorders of carbohydrate metabolism). T2D group (n=443, mean age 56.26.7 years, men 29.6%, women 70.4%), control group (n=532, mean age 56.17.1 years, men 32.7%, women 67.3%). DNA was isolated by phenol-chloroform extraction. Genotyping was performed by the method of polymerase chain reaction with subsequent analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction in real time. Statistical processing was carried out using the SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: No significant effect of rs1799883 of theFABP2gene, rs2237892 of theKCNQ1gene, and rs6773957 of theADIPOQgene on the risk of developing T2D was found. Genotypes TT and TC rs7903146 of theTCF7L2gene are genotypes for the risk of developing T2D (relative risk RR 3.90, 95% confidence interval CI 2.316.61,p0.001; RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.422.43,p0.001, respectively). The CC genotype rs7903146 of theTCF7L2gene is associated with a protective effect against T2D (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.290.49,p0.001). When theTCF7L2gene is included in the model for assessing the risk of developing T2D rs7903146, it retains its significance in both men and women. CONCLUSION: The rs7903146 polymorphism of theTCF7L2gene confirmed its association with the prognosis of the development of T2D, which indicates the possibility of considering it as a candidate for inclusion in a diabetes risk meter. Variants of risk meters have been developed to assess the prognosis of the development of diabetes mellitus 2 in men and women aged 4569 years during 10 years of follow-up. The association with the prognosis of the development of T2D polymorphisms rs1799883 of theFABP2gene, rs2237892 of theKCNQ1gene and rs6773957 of theADIPOQgene was not found.

[Mitochondrial DNA copy number of leucocytes as ageing marker and risk factors for age-related diseases in human.]

We used quantitative real-time PCR method to analyse mtDNA copy number in a random subsample (n=996; 358 men aged 66,31±7,24 years; 468 women aged 67,62±7,1 years) selected from a population cohort (n=9 630) examined at baseline in international project HAPIEE in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 2003-2005. The participants were re-examined after 12 years in 2015-2017. The average relative number of mtDNA copies in peripheral blood leukocytes was greater in women than in men, independently of age and smoking (p=0,001). mtDNA copy number was inversely correlated with age both in men (p=0,005) and women (p<0,001). In age adjusted analysis, mtDNA copy number was inversely associated with waist, hip and heart rate in both sexes. In addition, mtDNA copy number in women was inversely associated with triglycerides and glucose, aterogenity index and positively with HDL cholesterol. In men, mtDNA copy number was positively associated with physical activity. The age-adjusted mean of mtDNA copy number among male never-smokers was greater than in smokers (p=0,003), and the mean mtDNA copy number was lower in women with diabetes than in women without diabetes (p=0,005). In both sexes, subjects with baseline history of hypertension had lower mtDNA copy number after 12-year follow-up than those without hypertension (p=0,05). This broadly supports the hypothesis that mtDNA copy number may act as biomarker of ageing.

[New Genetic Marker of Human Predisposition to Severe Forms of Tick-Borne Encephalitis].

The causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (a neurotropic RNA virus from the Flavivirus genus) can cause both severe paralytic forms of the disease (meningoencephalitis, etc.) and milder nonparalytic forms (fever and meningitis). The organism response to viral infection (and, as a consequence, the nature and outcome of the disease) significantly depends on individual peculiarities of the human organism protective systems predetermined by genome structure. Human genetic predisposition to tick-borne encephalitis has been poorly studied. In the present work, the results of the search for new genes that predetermine the peculiarities and outcome of tick-borne encephalitis in humans are presented. The aim of the work was to verify the association between three previously detected (using the exome sequencing on a limited sample of tick-borne encephalitis patients with severe forms) SNPs: intronic rs3109675 (C/T) in the COL5A1 gene, intronic rs41554313 (A/G) in the POLRMT gene, and intergenic rs10006630 (C/A), and the predisposition to tick-borne encephalitis in a Russian population (using an extended sample of patients with different forms of tick-borne encephalitis). The association of the rs10006630 SNP located in chromosome 4 between the FABP2 and LINC01061 genes with a predisposition to tick-borne encephalitis was confirmed. This SNP can be considered as a new genetic marker of a human predisposition to severe forms of tick-borne encephalitis. The possible regulatory role of this SNP in the functioning of neighboring genes and a mechanism of its effect on the development of predisposition to severe forms of tick-borne encephalitis require further study.

Blood Pressure Levels and Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension in the Population of Residents of the Central Region of Siberia Aged 25­45 Years.

PURPOSE: to study blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension in persons aged 25-45 years in Novosibirsk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional population study in one of typical areas of Novosibirsk was performed in 2013-2016. The study included 479 men and 612 women aged 25-45 years. Arterial hypertension was defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥140 / 90 mmHg according to Russian recommendations (2004). For analysis two age groups were distinguished: 25-34 years and 35-45 years. RESULTS: Mean values of systolic and diastolic BP were significantly lower in women than in men in age groups. In men and women, the analyzed indicators were significantly higher in the older than in the younger age group. Mean values of pulse pressure in men were significantly higher than in women in both age groups, there were no differences in the analyzed index between age groups in either men or women. Optimal BP was more often recorded among women than among men in both age groups. The proportion of persons with normal BP among men was grate than among women in both age groups. In the age group 35-45 years compared with the younger group, in men there was a decrease in incidence of category with BP<140 / 90 mmHg, an increase of the proportion of persons with hypertension grades 1 and 2, the appearance of persons with grade 3 hypertension; in women - an increase of the proportion of individuals with normal, high-normal BP, and with grade 1 hypertension, appearance of individuals with grades 2 and 3 hypertension. Frequency of BP categories ≥140 / 90 mmHg in age group 25-34 years among men was 17.6 %, among women 3.1 % (p<0.0001); in age group 35-45 years among men - 34.7 %, among women - 12.5 % (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of hypertension in men was 28 %, in women - 9 %. Favorable tendencies of BP indicators in both sexes were revealed over a 30-year period, while gender differences did not change.

[Central Aortic Pressure: Reference and Diagnostic Values].

OBJECTIVE: Practical application of central aortic pressure (CAP) parameters is limited by the absence of generally recognized reference and threshold diagnostic indices. The purpose of this work is to establish their values in the general population of Novosibirsk. Materials and Methods. A total of 327 people were examined: 155 men and 172 women aged 25-44 years from a representative sample from the general population of Novosibirsk. Applanation tonometry of the radial artery was performed by the SphygmoCor system. The reference values of CAP parameters were obtained by a nonparametric method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations (95 % percentile interval with 2.5 % and 97.5 % cut-off points and their 90 % confidence intervals). Diagnostic thresholds and categories of CAP were determined as mean values depending on the categories of brachial arterial pressure (BP) and on the basis of risk estimates, as well as sensitivity and specificity values for left ventricular hypertrophy similar to risk and sensitivity and specificity values of threshold levels (categories) of brachial BP. RESULTS: The reference values of the parameters of the CAP were: 18-43 mm Hg for pulse pressure; 5-24 mm Hg for the amplification of pulse pressure; - 8.8-40 % for the augmentation index. Diagnostic categories of CAP were determined to be: optimal - less than 110 / 80, normal - 110 / 80-114 / 84, high normal - 115 / 85-124 / 89, hypertension - more than 125 / 90 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: The reference values, diagnostic thresholds and categories of parameters of CAP in the general population of Novosibirsk aged 25-44 years have been determined. It is expedient to further study them.

[Blood lipids and angina pectoris (by epidemiological cardiological Rose questionnaire) in the population of 25-45 years of Novosibirsk].

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of angina pectoris (AP) according to the standardized epidemiological questionnaire of Rose in the population of 25-45 years of Novosibirsk and to identify its association with some lipid and non-lipid risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of the population aged 25-45 in Novosibirsk was carried out. The study included 1439 people (656 men and 783 women). Within the framework of the complex survey program, the standardized epidemiological questionnaire of Rose (WHO, 1984) was used. Blood levels of total cholesterol (total C), triglycerides (TG), low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, HDL-C) were determinate by biochemical methods. RESULTS: For all lipid indicators, significant differences were found between men and women. The levels of total C, TG and LDL-C were significantly higher, and the level of HDL-C was lower in men, than in women. According to the Rose questionnaire, out of 1439 people included in the study, 12 patients (0.8%) had AP (75% women). In persons with AP, blood levels of TG were 1.8 times higher, and the levels of HDL-C in blood was 1.2 times lower compared to persons without AP. Univariate analysis of associations of AP with CHD risk factors showed that the chance of developing angina pectoris in the population of 25-45 years was significantly increased in individuals with high blood TG levels (OR 3,515, DI 1,106-11,168, p = 0.039) and low HDL-C (OR 1,203, DI 1,054-1,372, p = 0.006). A natural, although statistically not significant (OR 3,165, p=0,055, due to the small number of groups with AP) increasing in the chance of developing AP in hypertension was detected. CONCLUSION: In the young population of 25-45 years in Novosibirsk, elevated blood levels of TG, reduced levels of HDL-C, and hypertension were associated with AP, according to Rosecardiological questionnaire, which underlines the importance of conducting screening surveys of the young population to improve effective prevention and treatment of diseases.

[Improvement of outcomes in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome: the place of PCSK9 inhibitors. The Resolution of National Advisory Board].

On April 9, 2018, the national advisory board "Improvement of outcomes in patients with recent ACS: the place of PCSK9 inhibitors" was held in Moscow. Leading Russian experts in the field of atherosclerosis and lipid-lowering treatment attended the board. The purpose of the Board was to determine the place of PCSK9 inhibitors in the improvement of outcomes in patients with recent (less than 1 year) acute coronary syndrome (ACS). During the Board, three major aspects of lipid-lowering treatment were discussed: 1) issues in reaching the target levels of LDL cholesterol in real clinical practice among patients with recent ACS; 2) the results of ODYSSEY OUTCOMES study and their role in the improvement of outcomes in patients with recent ACS; 3) treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors in the management of patients with recent (less than 1 year) ACS in everyday clinical practice, the role of lipid centers.

Relationships of arterial hypertension and reduced renal function in a population 25-45 years.

AIM: To study relationships of reduced renal function with hypertension and other cardiometabolic risk factors in persons aged 25-45 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional population study of one of the typical district of Novosibirsk (Russia) was performed during 2013-2016 years. The study included 468 men and 606 women aged 25-45 years. Blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC), blood lipids, glucose, creatinine were measured. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated with the formula CKD-EPI. Hypertension was registered if blood pressure (BP) was ≥140/90 mm Hg, reduced kidney function - at GFR<90 ml/min/1.73 cm2. RESULTS: Prevalence of hypertension among men was 28%, among women - 9%. The proportion of people with GFR<90 ml/min/1.73 cm2 among men was 9.8%, among women - 34%. Among all examined people GFRs <60 ml/min/1.73 cm2 was revealed in 0.3% only. The association of hypertension with reduced renal function was determined only in men. Based on results of multivariate linear regression analysis, a significant negative association of GFR with age was determined, there was no association of GFR with systolic BP (SBP) in either men or women. In men, inverse relationships of GFR with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-С), triglycerides (TG), direct - with WC were determined. Significant inverse association of GFR with diastolic BP (DBP) was revealed only after exception of TG from the regression model. In women, GFR's inverse relationship with LDL-С and DBP was observed, and the direct - with WC. In stepwise analysis the validity of all associations was confirmed after exception of the association of GFR with WC in men. CONCLUSION: In a population of 25-45 years a reduced GFR was associated with increased DBP; levels of LDL-С, TG showed negative association with GFR; in men increased TG levels were more important in reducing GFR than elevated DBP.

[Left Ventricular Myocardial Hypertrophy as a Result of Arterial Hypertension Among Mountain Shoria Population. The Role of Genetic Polymorphism].

OBJECTIVE: to establish associations of candidate genes ACE, AGT, AGTR1, ADRB1, ADRA2B, MTHFR and NOS3 polymorphisms with left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) among the indigenous (the Shors) and non-indigenous population of Mountain Shoria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 788 people in a clinical and epidemiological study of compactly living population in the remote areas of Mountain Shoria, located in the south of Western Siberia (468 members of indigenous ethnic group [the Shors], 320 members of non-indigenous ethnic group [90% Caucasian]). Diagnosis of AH was set in accordance with recommendations of Society of Cardiology of the Russian Federation/Medical Society of the Russian Federation on the Problem of Arterial Hypertension (RMOAG) (2010). Assessment of the structural and functional state of myocardium in patients with AH (n=201 among Shors and 158 among non-indigenous residents) was made by echocardiography. The polymorphisms of genes ACE (I/D, rs 4340), АGT (c.803T>C, rs699), AGTR1 (А1166С, rs5186), ADRB1 (с.145A>G, Ser49Gly, rs1801252), ADRA2B (I/D, rs 28365031), MTHFR (c.677С>Т, Ala222Val, rs1801133) and NOS3 (VNTR, 4b/4a) were tested by PCR. RESULTS: Among patients with AH LVH occurred more often within the indigenous (Shor) than in non-indigenous (non-Shor) ethnic group (51.5 vs 42.2%, respectively, p=0.034). The frequency of homozygous genotype I/I of the ACE gene among AH patients with LVH in the Shor group was higher than in the non-Shor group (41.2 vs 19.3%, p=0.004). The prevalence of mutant genotype A/A of the ADRB1 gene was lower in the Shor compared to non-Shor group (53.6 vs 75.0%, p=0.014). The percentage of the carriers of prognostically favorable genotype 4b/4b of the NOS3 gene was higher in Shor than in non-Shor group (71.9 vs 52.7%, p=0.018), while the percentage of homozygous genotype 4a/4a carriers in the Shor group was lower (2.1% vs 18.2%, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: The following studied genes were found to be associated of with LVH: in the Shor cohort - the MTHFR gene (log additive model of inheritance), the A/G genotype of the ADRB1 gene (among people with normal body weight), the I/D genotype of the ACE gene (among men); in the non-indigenous cohort - D/D genotype of the ACE gene (the codominant model of inheritance), the NOS3 gene (the log additive model of inheritance).

[The prevalence of components of metabolic syndrome in the patients with diabetes melitus type 2 and mody diabetes in young people of Novosibirsk].

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and MODY diabetes as well as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) components for these types of diabetes in the young population of the city of Novosibirsk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2013-2017 years a population survey was conducted of a random representative sample of the population of 25-45 years of both sexes, residents of one of the typical districts of Novosibirsk. WHO criteria (1999-2013) were used for the diagnosis of diabetes: fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol / l after an 8-hour fasting. Also group with DM2 included persons with a fasting blood glucose level.

[Frequency, spectrum, and functional significance of TP53 mutations in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

A comparative analysis of oncogene mutations shows that variations in their frequency, spectrum, and hot-spot locations depends on the type of tumor and the ethnic origin of the population studied. The current version of the IARC TP53 Mutation Database lacks information about the frequency and spectrum of TP53 mutations in patients with DLBCL in Russia. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and functional significance of TP53 mutations in patients with DLBCL in Novosibirsk. The TP53 coding sequence and the adjacent intron regions were analyzed by direct sequencing in the tumor material from 74 patients with DLBCL. Mutations of the TP53 coding sequence were found in 18 (24.3%) patients. These data are consistent with the frequency of TP53  mutations observed in other studies. The spectrum of nucleotide substitutions found in DLBCL specimens corresponded to that described in the IARC TP53 Mutation Database. According to bioinformatic data and to reported experiments in vitro, most of the mutations detected result in the production of functionally inactive p53. Our results show that DLBCL progression is accompanied by the functional selection for mutations in TP53 exons 5-8.

Association of Polymorphism in SCN5A, GJA5, and KCNN3 Gene with Sudden Cardiac Death.

We studied association of single-nucleotide SCN5A (rs1805124), GJA5 (rs35594137), and KCNN3 (rs13376333) polymorphisms and sudden cardiac death. Humans died suddenly from cardiac causes (N=379) and unrelated sex- and age-matched control subjects were genotyped. No significant intergroup differences were found in the frequency of rs1805124 and rs13376333 genotypes and alleles. In women under 50 years, enhanced risk of sudden cardiac death was associated with rs35594137 GG genotype (OR=3.6; 95%CI=1.2-10.4; p=0.022), while in older women it was associated with rs35594137 AA genotype (OR=3.0; 95%CI=2.3-3.9; p=0.041). In women under 50 years, GA rs35594137 genotype was associated with a protective effect against sudden cardiac death (OR=0.3; 95%CI=0.1-0.8; p=0.036). Thus, GJA5 gene rs35594137 polymorphism is significantly associated with sudden cardiac death in the examined group.

Proteomic Study of Blood Serum in Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Changes in the blood serum proteins were assessed in men with coronary atherosclerosis and without coronary heart disease. Proteins were separated by 2D-electrophoresis, protein fractions were identified by their peptide fingerprint by MALDI method; fractions with more than twofold increase in protein level were determined. In blood serum of patients with coronary atherosclerosis, the content of C4 complement protein increased and ceruloplasmin level decreased, which is typical of heart failure and coronary heart disease.

Association of Level of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 with Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

We studied association of PCSK9 protein with the carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (N=53; age 49.9±6.9 years) treated with statins. Blood level of PCSK9 protein was measured by ELISA; ultrasonography of the carotid arteries with measurement of the thickness of the intima-media complex of the common carotid arteries in the distal segment for 10 mm from the bifurcation on the far wall of the vessel was performed in on-line mode. The mean values were calculated for both sides, the maximum mean value was included in the analysis. It was shown that PCSK9 levels positively correlate with carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.