Decreased Regulatory T Cells in Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Lesions: Imbalance between Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cells in Atherosclerosis
Table 1
Clinical data: cardiovascular risk factors and medications of the study groups.
Group A
Group B
value
(, stable plaques)
(, unstable plaques)
(cells/0.1 mm2)
(cells/0.1 mm2)
Age (years)
69.5 (57.8–78)
75 (72–77)
n.s.
BMI (kg/m2)
28.1 (25.3–29.7)
26.4 (24.5–29.1)
n.s.
Gender, male (%)
57
87
n.s.
Ischemic symptoms (%)
64
67
n.s.
Preoperative imaging:
Degree of stenosis
80% (70–95%)
90% (80–95%)
n.s.
Blood parameters:
Leukocytes (Gpt/L)
9.5 (6.7–14.4)
8.1 (7–10.1)
n.s.
CRP (mg/L)
9.3 (1–35)
2.1 (1–32)
n.s.
Creatinine (μmol/L)
86 (66–157)
74 (60–133)
n.s.
Morbidities:
Hypertension (%)
100
93
n.s.
Hyperlipidemia (%)
100
73
n.s.
Obesity (%) (BMI > 30 kg/m2)
14
20
n.s.
CHD (%)
21
53
n.s.
CKD (%) (GFR < 50 mL/min)
29
33
n.s.
Diabetes (%)
36
47
n.s.
Medication:
ASA (%)
71
60
n.s.
Beta blocker (%)
43
73
n.s.
ACE Inhibitor (%)
43
60
n.s.
Statins (%)
92
60
n.s.
Group A: patients with stable, fibrous atherosclerotic lesions, group B: patients with unstable, lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques. Values are presented as median and 25%–75% confidence interval or percentage. *ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; ASA: acetyl-salicylic acid; BMI: body mass index; CHD: coronary heart disease; CKD: chronic kidney disease; CRP: C-reactive protein; GFR: glomerular filtration rate; LDL: low-density lipoprotein.
