Serum sialic acid concentration and atherosclerotic risk factors.

To clarify the significance of increased blood sialic acid in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, we investigated the relationship between serum sialic acid level and atherosclerotic risk factors such as serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, atherogenic index, and white blood cell count. By simple regression analysis, the serum sialic acid level was found to correlate significantly with these parameters. The mean sialic acid level was significantly higher in the highest quartile for serum uric acid than in its lowest quartile and also for fasting blood glucose concentration in comparison with its other three quartiles. A tendency was noted for the mean serum sialic acid level of each quartile to become higher with an increase in the quartiles of systolic or diastolic blood pressure, atherogenic index, and white blood cell count. Multiple regression analysis showed the correlations to be significant for the relationship of serum sialic acid to atherogenic index, mean arterial pressure and white blood cell count. From these results and previous findings of higher serum sialic acid levels in smokers, patients with diabetic angiopathies, and patients with hyperlipidemia, it is suggested that serum sialic acid reflects the degree of atherosclerotic progress involving inflammation processes.