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(Stroke. 2006;37:2001.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Complement C3 and C-Reactive Protein Are Elevated in South Asians Independent of a Family History of Stroke

Riyaz Somani, MRCP; Peter J. Grant, FRCP, MD; Kirti Kain, MRCP, MD; Andrew J. Catto, MRCP, PhD Angela M. Carter, PhD

From the Academic Unit of Molecular Vascular Medicine, The LIGHT Laboratories, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Correspondence to Riyaz Somani, The LIGHT Laboratories, Clarendon Way, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT. UK. E-mail r.somani{at}leeds.ac.uk

Background and Purpose— Complement components are emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the relation among C3, C-reactive protein (CRP), factor B, and features of the insulin resistance (IR) syndrome in 143 first-degree relatives of South Asian subjects with ischemic stroke, 141 South Asian controls, and 121 white controls.

Methods— C3, CRP (high-sensitivity assay), and factor B levels were measured by ELISAs, and their relation to features of the IR syndrome were assessed. Data are presented as geometric mean (95% CI).

Results— There was no significant difference in the levels of C3 between South Asian relatives (1.25 [1.21, 1.29] g/L) and South Asian controls (1.20 [1.15, 1.24] g/L, P=0.2). Levels in both South Asian groups were significantly higher than in white controls (0.95 [0.92, 0.98] g/L; P<0.001 for both comparisons). These differences remained significant after adjustment for covariates. Similarly, levels of CRP were not different between the 2 South Asian groups, but levels in both South Asian groups, after adjustment for covariates, were significantly higher than in white controls. There was no difference in the levels of factor B among the 3 groups. South Asian subjects with elevated C3 levels clustered risk factors associated with IR to a greater extent than those with high CRP.

Conclusions— These results suggest that South Asians have a greater level of chronic subclinical inflammation than do whites, independent of a family history of stroke. In addition, C3 is more likely to cluster with features of the IR syndrome compared with CRP in South Asians.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • ethnic groups • inflammation • insulin resistance • risk factors

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