Relationship between Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels and morphological atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in patients with coronary heart disease

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21, as an important regulator for systemic glucose and lipid metabolism, has recently been demonstrated to be associated with atherosclerosis, but the relationship between serum FGF21 and characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques remains unclear. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the association between serum FGF21 and morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques in vivo. Overall, 68 patients with coronary heart disease were evaluated by virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound, and circulating FGF21 concentration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum FGF21 levels showed a significant and positive correlation with plaque burden (plaque+media divided by external elastic membrane) (r = 0.28, P = 0.01). Conversely, serum FGF21 levels in patients with VH thin-cap fibroatheroma were lower than those with VH thick-cap fibroatheroma (P < 0.01). Serum FGF21 is positively correlated with atherosclerotic plaque burden, and interestingly, the high level of serum FGF21 may represent a positive response to atherosclerosis.