Background: The association between cathepsin B and inflammatory disorders is being increasingly recognized, but the underlying mechanism is less understood. The aim of the present study was to study the association between cathepsin B and different inflammation markers in a community-based cohort of elderly males and females.
Methods: Blood samples were collected from 729 individuals in the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) cohort at the age of 75 years. Cathepsin B and the inflammation markers CRP, Pentraxin 3, TNF receptor 1 and TNF receptor 2 were analyzed together with albumin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B and triglycerides.
Results: Cathepsin B was significantly associated with TNF receptor 1 and 2 (P<0.001) but not with CRP and pentraxin 3. There were also significant associations with cholesterol, LDL and apolipoprotein B.
Conclusion: The type of inflammatory response is of importance for circulating cathepsin B. The association between cathepsin B and the cardiovascular risk markers cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B could contribute to plaque destabilisation and ruptures by cathepsin B.