RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a trigger in the development of cardiovascular disease. Complications of atherosclerosis give reason to search for new criteria, diagnostic concepts, treatment methods and active preventive measures. The aim of our work is to study of the structural changes in the intima-media complex of the common carotid artery, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) secreted by mononuclear cells; the level of the intercellular adhesion molecule (according to sICAM-1), the level of the C-peptide of the blood, as well as the study of the relationship between these factors affecting the development of atherosclerosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: In the group of 110 patients are studied the levels of secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, the level of blood C-peptide, performed of duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic vessels, studied of biopsy of the skin. RESULTS: Results and conclusions: In the group of patients with atherosclerosis and the accompanying metabolic syndrome, endothelial activation is noted under the influence of risk factors (hyperinsulinemia, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia), accompanied with the activation of mononuclear cells (with marked hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and thickening of the intima-media complex of the common carotid artery with an increase in body weight. Patients with metabolic syndrome develop microangiopathy (edema of endothelial cells, thickening and reduplication of the basement membranes, focal reaction of the pericytes).
