Relationship of beta2-microglobulin to arterial stiffness in Japanese subjects.

2 -Microglobulin ( 2m) is related to inflammatory diseases, but there have been few reports of a relationship between 2m and atherosclerosis. We have examined the influence of 2m on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to clarify whether it is related to arterial stiffness. baPWV, 2m, C-reactive protein (CRP), and conventional risk factors were measured in 614 males and 158 females. The adjusted means of baPWV were compared with the quartiles of 2m, and significant differences in baPWV were observed across the quartiles of 2m ( p = 0.037). After being adjusted for potential confounders, quartile 4 of 2m, quartile 4 of CRP, and the combination of high 2m plus high CRP were significantly associated with a high value of PWV (quartile 4 of 2m: odds ratio [OR] 2.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31‐4.89; quartile 4 of CRP: OR 2.27, 95% CI, 1.18‐4.34; high 2m plus high CRP: OR 5.60, 95% CI, 2.38‐13.2). These results suggest that 2m is associated with an increase of arterial stiffness. Further studies are needed to clarify whether 2m is related to atherosclerotic diseases, and whether the combination of 2m and CRP measurement is a useful predictor for the development of atherosclerosis. ( Hypertens Res 2005; 28: 505‐511)