Sex differences in the longitudinal association between metabolomic biomarkers and carotid artery plaques
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The development of carotid artery atherosclerosis differs between men and women. We examined the role of the metabolome in these sex differences in Australian adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data is from the Australian Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) study where 73 metabolomic biomarkers were measured at ages 26-36 years (2004-06) and carotid artery plaques were measured at ages 36-46 years (2014-19). We identified metabolites that modified the effect of sex on plaques in log-binomial regression models. Sex-specific regressions were performed for metabolic biomarkers that had a sex-specific association with plaques. There were 638 participants (53 % women, mean [SD] age 31.2 [2.6] years) in the analysis. Interactions were significant for sex with omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), saturated fat percentage, and albumin on their association with plaques. Inverse associations with plaques in women, but not men, were found for saturated fat percentage in adjusted analysis (RR/SD increase 0.52 95 % CI 0.36-0.79; p < 0.001). Albumin signal area was positively associated with plaques in women in adjusted analysis (RR/SD increase 1.56 95 % CI 1.33-2.15; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Associations between metabolic biomarkers and plaques were different in women compared with men, which may reveal sex-specific factors for atherosclerosis in women.
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
Awards: G208865630, How do life-stage transitions and depression affect the risk of heart disease and diabetes in young adults?, G3338641379, Follow up of the 1985 Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey Cohort, Cardiometabolic risk trajectories from childhood to midlife: finding pathways to better health
OpenAlex ID: W7125422605