Which inflammatory marker is a sensitive indicator of atherosclerosis risk and is secreted by the liver and by the intima?

Which inflammatory marker is a sensitive indicator of atherosclerosis risk and is secreted by the liver and by the intima?

• A. ESR
• B. C-reactive protein
• C. Interleukin-6
• D. Fibrinogen

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reflects chronic vascular inflammation and helps predict atherosclerosis risk. C-reactive protein is an acute-phase protein produced largely by the liver in response to inflammatory signals like IL-6. In atherosclerotic plaques, cells within the intima can also generate CRP locally, which amplifies inflammatory signaling in the vessel wall. Because hs-CRP levels correlate with future cardiovascular events independent of traditional risk factors, it is used as a sensitive marker of atherosclerosis risk. Other options provide different kinds of information: ESR is a nonspecific inflammatory marker; IL-6 is a cytokine that drives CRP production rather than a direct risk marker; fibrinogen is another acute-phase reactant but does not have as strong and consistent predictive value for atherothrombosis as CRP.

The main idea is that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reflects chronic vascular inflammation and helps predict atherosclerosis risk. C-reactive protein is an acute-phase protein produced largely by the liver in response to inflammatory signals like IL-6. In atherosclerotic plaques, cells within the intima can also generate CRP locally, which amplifies inflammatory signaling in the vessel wall. Because hs-CRP levels correlate with future cardiovascular events independent of traditional risk factors, it is used as a sensitive marker of atherosclerosis risk. Other options provide different kinds of information: ESR is a nonspecific inflammatory marker; IL-6 is a cytokine that drives CRP production rather than a direct risk marker; fibrinogen is another acute-phase reactant but does not have as strong and consistent predictive value for atherothrombosis as CRP.