Transforming Growth Factor-β Protects against Inflammation-Related Atherosclerosis in South African CKD Patients

Figure 2

Comparison of serum transforming growth factor-1 (a), 2 (b), and 3 (c) between patients with carotid plaque and those without plaques. The boxes indicate median, 25th, and 75th percentile; whiskers represent data range; whisker caps indicate 5th and 95th percentile. Transforming growth factor-β1, β2, and β3 levels were analyzed with Bio-Plex Pro™ TGF-β Assays kit. Carotid plaque was defined as the echogenic structure protruding into the lumen with the distance between the media adventitia interface and the internal side of the lesion ≥ 1.2 mm. Serum transforming growth factor-β1, β2, and β3 levels were compared between patients with carotid plaques and those without plaque, P = 0.016, P = 0.013, and P = 0.330 compared to those patients without plaque.

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