Abstract: Objective To analyze the association between serum intermedin (IMD), Cystatin C (CysC) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) with atherosclerosis (AS) in essential hypertensive (EH). Methods Serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 levels of 60 patients with EH (EH group) and 60 healthy subjects (control group) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was measured with UCG. Results The cIMT, serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 levels were significantly higher in EH group than in control group (P<0.05). In EH patients, cIMT, serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 levels increased with elevated blood pressure levels (P<0.05). Based on the level of cIMT, all subjects were divided into normal cIMT group, thickened cIMT group and mottling formation group. The serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 levels in the three groups rose with cIMT, and the difference had statistical significance (P<0.001). The cIMT level was positively correlated with serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 levels (r=0.770, 0.616, 0.822; P<0.001). When cIMT level was taken as the dependent variable, unconditioned Logistic regression analysis showed that SBP, IMD, CysC, FGF23, and HDL were independent risk factors forcIMT (OR=1.104, 1.120, 1.107, 1.069, 3.592; P<0.05). Conclusion Serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 levels are closely associated with blood pressure classification and cIMT, indicating that they are independent risk factors of cIMT. They may participate in the pathogenesis of EH and affect the process of AS. Combined-detection of serum IMD, CysC and FGF23 can reflect the severity of AS and provide a new approach for its prevention and treatment.

Key words: Intermedin, Fibroblast growth factor 23, Hypertension, Cystatin C, Atherosclerosis