Inflammation Coupling between Unstable Carotid Plaque and Spleen Coupling A 18F-FDG PET study

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K10712
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurosurgery
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: KASHIWAZAKI Daina 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 助教 (50374484)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 黒田 敏 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 教授 (10301904) ; 桑山 直也 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 准教授 (30178157) ; 秋岡 直樹 富山大学, 附属病院, 講師 (70422631)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: Inflammation / carotid stenosis / plaque / spleen

Outline of Final Research Achievements

[Background and Purpose]This study was aimed to assess the hypothesis that unstable plaque formation in the carotid artery is one of phenotypes of chronic, systemic inflammation.[Methods]This study included eight symptomatic patients with internal carotid stenosis (ICS) and seven healthy controls. All subjects underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucos positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) of whole body. On 18F-FDG PET, the maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) value was measured in the carotid plaque, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. [Results]All 8 patients in ICS group had unstable plaque on MRI. The SUVmax of spleen was significantly higher in ICS group than in the controls (3.20±0.25 and 2.51±0.40, respectively; P=0.003). The SUVmax ratio (spleen/liver) was also significantly higher in ICS group than in the controls (1.12±0.06 and 0.85±0.12, respectively; P=0.001). [Conclusion]These data strongly suggest the inflammation coupling between the spleen and unstable carotid plaque.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で得られた知見は、同時に多動脈において動脈硬化が進行するpolyvascular diseaseを説明するうえで重要な機序である。また、動脈硬化が進行しそれぞれの臓器で発症するまでの過程を示した点で意義がある。