Abnormal blood rheology and chronic low grade inflammation: Possible risk factors for accelerated atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in Lewis negative subjects

- Lewis negative individuals are at increased risk for early atherosclerosis.
- Abnormal hemorheological profile is more common the in the Lewis negative group.
- Surrogate markers of inflammation are significantly elevated in Lewis negatives.
- Chronic inflammation and abnormal rheology may contribute to the elevated CV risk.

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that abnormal hemorheology and chronic low-grade inflammation are more prevalent in Lewis negative individuals, possibly contributing to premature atherosclerosis.Methods and resultsWe enrolled 223 healthy subjects (154 females, mean age: 64yrs). Conventional risk factors, markers of inflammation and hemorheological profiles were measured; Lewis blood group was determined by serology. Conventional risk factors (age, gender, BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile, smoking habit) did not differ among Lewis phenotypes. However, markers of inflammation (WBC, hs-CRP, ESR) were significantly elevated and rheological parameters (RBC aggregation, plasma viscosity) were abnormal in Lewis negative subjects, especially when compared to the Le(a−b+) group.ConclusionsWith a prevalence of 33% in select populations, our data support the hypothesis that Le(a−b−) represents a pro-inflammatory phenotype that may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk in this group.