Table 3.
Markers of calcification and of endothelial dysfunction in plaques showing different degrees of calcification (Me (25%; 75%)).
| Indicator | (1) No Calcification Deposits (n = 59) |
(2) Small and Dust-like Calcification Deposits (n = 67) |
(3) Large Calcification Deposits (n = 14) |
Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoprotegerin, pg/mg protein |
122.4 (43.8; 194.7) |
115.1 (32.3; 264.0) |
66.7 (40.4; 118.5) |
p > 0.05 |
| Osteopontin, ng/mg protein |
4.6 (1.8; 10.2) |
2.3 (0.9; 7.3) |
1.1 (0.3; 3.5) |
1 vs. 2 (p = 0.05) 1 vs. 3 (p = 0.012) |
| Osteonectin, μg/mg protein |
2.3 (1.1; 4.9) |
2.0 (1.3; 3.8) |
1.0 (0.4; 2.1) |
1 vs. 3 (p = 0.016) 2 vs. 3 (p = 0.023) |
| MCP-1, pg/mg protein |
80.2 (35.0; 147.8) |
77.5 (37.2; 174.1) |
148.2 (29.0; 179.3) |
p > 0.05 |
| sVCAM-1, ng/mg protein |
115.0 (44.5; 239.2) |
110.9 (34.3; 229.5) |
30.3 (8.1; 52.3) |
1 vs. 3 (p = 0.005) 2 vs. 3 (p = 0.01) |
| E-selectin, ng/mg protein |
4.8 (2.1; 13.0) |
3.1 (1.1; 7.9) |
0.9 (0.2; 2.1) |
1 vs. 2 (p = 0.016) 1 vs. 3 (p = 0.002) 2 vs. 3 (p = 0.048) |