Plasma level of nerve growth factor in patients with metabolic syndrome and its relation to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Noha Usama Khalil; Usama Ahmed Khalil; Rodalia Mesallam Makhlouf; Ghada Mohammed Samir; Atef Gouda Hussein; Fayrouz Othman Selim; Moataz Mohammad Hisham; Shimaa Morsy Mohammed

Noha Usama Khalil Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2840-2215
Usama Ahmed Khalil Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Rodalia Mesallam Makhlouf Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Ghada Mohammed Samir Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Atef Gouda Hussein Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Fayrouz Othman Selim Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Moataz Mohammad Hisham Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Shimaa Morsy Mohammed Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Keywords: plasma, nerve growth factor, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates neuro-cardiovascular interactions, promotes postnatal angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, and its altered levels are linked to metabolic and inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to detect links between NGF and MetS and its relation to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in those subjects. This study was executed on 60 adult participants, who fulfill the International Diabetes Federation consensus definition of MetS (MetS group) along with 30 healthy individuals suited by age and sex possessing MetS group. NGF were significantly reduced in MetS group than control group (P<0.05) and in MetS group with 4 and 5 criteria than those with 3 criteria. There was a significant inverse relation among NGF with each of weight and BMI, LDL, HBA1C, HOMA.IR and ASCVD risk %. In the multivariate analysis, BMI together with HBA1C and NGF showed a significant independent predictor of MetS in our study. NGF at cut-off value of 7.76 ng/ml was found to be a marker of ASCVD in MetS with high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (90%). The reduction of NGF in MetS which increased with increase number of criteria of metabolic syndrome suggest its protective value in MetS. NGF in addition to BMI and HbA1C are independent predictor of the metabolic syndrome and NGF could be a good marker of ASCVD risk in MetS with very high sensitivity and specificity which may suggest now therapeutic option by using NGF analogue to reduce ASCVD risk associated with metabolic syndrome.