Suchergebnisse

Background:Urinary lead (Pb) is generally considered to have limited use in biomonitoring environmental ex-posure to lead. Carbon load in airway macrophages (AM BC) is an internal marker to assess long-term exposureto combustion-derived aerosol particles. In urban environments, atmospheric Pb and black carbon may havecommon sources. We aimed to study the temporal change of urinary Pb (U-Pb) when exposure to outdoor airpollution changes, and the relationship between U-Pb and AM BC.Methods:A panel of 50 young healthy adults [mean (SD) 26.7 (5.2) years], including 17 long-term (> 1 year)residents in Leuven, Belgium (BE), 15 and 18 newcomers (arrived < 3 weeks) from low- and middle-incomecountries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC), respectively, underwent 8 repeated measurements at 6 weeksintervals. In urine spot samples obtained at 5 time points (T1, T2, T4, T6, T8), 24 trace elements were quantifiedby inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. At each time point, AM BC was quantified as the mediansurface of black inclusions (inμm2) by means of image analysis of 25 macrophages obtained by induced sputum.Changes in urinary metal concentrations (with and without creatinine correction) and the relationship betweenU-Pb and AM BC were estimated using linear mixed models adjusted for covariates and potential confounders.Results:Only U-Pb differed between groups and exhibited significant time trends. Participants from the LMICgroup had significantly higher initial U-Pb (1.18μg/g creat) than the HIC group (0.44μg/g creat) and BE group(0.45μg/g creat). In the LMIC group, U-Pb decreased significantly with time by 0.061μg/g creatinine per30 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.034, 0.088]. U-Pb remained unchanged in the other two groups. Anincrease in AM BC of 1μm2was associated with an increase in U-Pb of 0.369μg/g creat (95% CI: 0.145, 0.593).Conclusion:This panel study demonstrates that U-Pb may be a valid alternative to blood Pb for biomonitoringchanges in exposure to lead, at least at group level. In addition, we identified a positive association between U-Pband AM BC, a biomarker of exposure to traffic-related air pollution, suggesting the existence of common sourcesof Pb and black carbon in urban environments. ; We thank the study participants. We thank Dr. Lidia Casas for hersuggestions and help with the statistical analysis. We thank GladysDeumer for performing the ICP-MS measurements. This study was partofthe doctoral project of Yang Bai under supervision of ProfessorBenoit Nemery and Professor Tim Nawrot. This study was funded inpart by the Flemish Government, Contract LNE/OL201100023/13034/M&G.

Background: Urinary lead (Pb) is generally considered to have limited use in biomonitoring environmental exposure to lead. Carbon load in airway macrophages (AM BC) is an internal marker to assess long-term exposure to combustion-derived aerosol particles. In urban environments, atmospheric Pb and black carbon may have common sources. We aimed to study the temporal change of urinary Pb (U-Pb) when exposure to outdoor air pollution changes, and the relationship between U-Pb and AM BC. Methods: A panel of 50 young healthy adults [mean (SD) 26.7 (5.2) years], including 17 long-term (> 1 year) residents in Leuven, Belgium (BE), 15 and 18 newcomers (arrived < 3 weeks) from low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC), respectively, underwent 8 repeated measurements at 6 weeks intervals. In urine spot samples obtained at 5 time points (T1, T2, T4, T6, T8), 24 trace elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. At each time point, AM BC was quantified as the median surface of black inclusions (in mu m(2)) by means of image analysis of 25 macrophages obtained by induced sputum. Changes in urinary metal concentrations (with and without creatinine correction) and the relationship between U-Pb and AM BC were estimated using linear mixed models adjusted for covariates and potential confounders. Results: Only U-Pb differed between groups and exhibited significant time trends. Participants from the LMIC group had significantly higher initial U-Pb (1.18 mu g/g creat) than the HIC group (0.44 mu g/g creat) and BE group (0.45 mu g/g creat). In the LMIC group, U-Pb decreased significantly with time by 0.061 mu g/g creatinine per 30 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.034, 0.088]. U-Pb remained unchanged in the other two groups. An increase in AM BC of 1 mu m(2) was associated with an increase in U-Pb of 0.369 mu g/g creat (95% CI: 0.145, 0.593). Conclusion: This panel study demonstrates that U-Pb may be a valid alternative to blood Pb for biomonitoring changes in exposure to lead, at least at group level. In addition, we identified a positive association between U-Pb and AM BC, a biomarker of exposure to traffic-related air pollution, suggesting the existence of common sources of Pb and black carbon in urban environments. ; We thank the study participants. We thank Dr. Lidia Casas for her suggestions and help with the statistical analysis. We thank Gladys Deumer for performing the ICP-MS measurements. This study was part of the doctoral project of Yang Bai under supervision of Professor Benoit Nemery and Professor Tim Nawrot. This study was funded in part by the Flemish Government, Contract LNE/OL201100023/13034/M&G.

Objective To investigate the incidence of preterm delivery in the Belgian population after implementation of smoke-free legislation in three phases (in public places and most workplaces January 2006, in restaurants January 2007, and in bars serving food January 2010). Design Logistic regression analyses on routinely collected birth data from January 2002 to December 2011. Setting Flanders, Belgium. Population All live born singleton births delivered at 24-44 weeks of gestation (n=606 877, with n=448 520 spontaneous deliveries). Main outcome measures Preterm birth (gestational age <37 weeks). Results We found reductions in the risk of preterm birth after the introduction of each phase of the smoking ban. No decreasing trend was evident in the years or months before the bans. We observed a step change in the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery of -3.13% (95% CI -4.37% to -1.87%; P<0.01) on 1 January 2007 (ban on smoking in restaurants), and an annual slope change of -2.65% (-5.11% to -0.13%; P=0.04) after 1 January 2010 (ban on smoking in bars serving food). The analysis for all births gave similar results: a step change of -3.18% (-5.38% to -0.94%; P<0.01) on 1 January 2007, and an annual slope change of -3.50% (-6.35% to -0.57%; P=0.02) after 1 January 2010. These changes could not be explained by personal factors (infant sex, maternal age, parity, socioeconomic status, national origin, level of urbanisation); time related factors (underlying trends, month of the year, day of the week); or population related factors (public holidays, influenza epidemics, and short term changes in apparent temperature and particulate air pollution). Conclusion Our study shows a consistent pattern of reduction in the risk of preterm delivery with successive population interventions to restrict smoking. This finding is not definitive but it supports the notion that smoking bans have public health benefits from early life.

Objective To investigate the incidence of preterm delivery in the Belgian population after implementation of smoke-free legislation in three phases (in public places and most workplaces January 2006, in restaurants January 2007, and in bars serving food January 2010).

Background: People from low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by the global burden of adverse health effects caused by ambient air pollution (AAP). However, data from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are still scarce. We systematically reviewed the literature to describe the existing knowledge on AAP and health outcomes in SSA. Methods: We searched PubMed, Medline-OVID, EMBASE and Scopus databases to identify studies of AAP and health outcomes published up to November 15, 2017. We used a systematic review approach to critically analyze and summarize levels of outdoor air pollutants, and data on health effects associated with AAP. We excluded occupational and indoor exposure studies. Results: We identified 60 articles, with 37 only describing levels of AAP and 23 assessing the association between air pollution and health outcomes. Most studies (75%) addressing the relation between AAP and disease were cross-sectional. In general, exposure data were only obtained for selected cities in the framework of temporary international collaborative research initiatives without structural long-term continuation. Measurements of AAP revealed 10-20 fold higher levels than WHO standards. Of the 23 studies reporting health effects, 14 originated from South Africa, and most countries within SSA contributed no data at all. No studies, except from South Africa, were based on reliable morbidity or mortality statistics at regional or country level. The majority of studies investigated self-reported respiratory symptoms. Children and the elderly were found to be more susceptible to AAP. Conclusion: AAP and its negative health effects have been understudied in SSA compared with other continents. The limited direct measurements of air pollutants indicate that AAP in SAA cities is high compared with international standards. Efforts are needed to monitor AAP in African cities, to identify its main sources, and to reduce adverse health effects by enforcing legislation. ; This research did not receive any specific grant from fundingagenciesinthepublic,commercial,ornot-for-profitsectors

Telomere length (TL) is a marker of ageing and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an early marker of inflammation caused by oxidative stress. We determined TL and mtDNA content among active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients to assess if these cellular biomarkers differed between artisanal miners and non-miners, and to assess if they were predictive of treatment outcome. We conducted a prospective cohort study from August 2018 to May 2019 involving newly diagnosed PTB patients at three outpatient TB clinics in a rural Democratic Republic of Congo. We measured relative TL and mtDNA content in peripheral blood leukocytes (at inclusion) via qPCR and assessed their association with PTB treatment outcome. We included 129 patients (85 miners and 44 non-miners) with PTB (median age 40 years; range 5–71 years, 22% HIV-coinfected). For each increase in year and HIV-coinfection, TL shortened by − 0.85% (− 0.19 to − 0.52) (p ≤ 0.0001) and − 14% (− 28.22 to − 1.79) (p = 0.02) respectively. Independent of these covariates, patients with longer TL were more likely to have successful TB treatment [adjusted hazard ratio; 95% CI 1.27 for a doubling of leucocyte telomere length at baseline; 1.05–1.44] than patients with a shorter TL. Blood mtDNA content was not predictive for PTB outcome. For a given chronological age, PTB patients with longer telomeres at time of diagnosis were more likely to have successful PTB treatment outcome.

Exposure to ambient NO2 and benzene, toluene ethyl-benzene and m+p- and o-xylenes (BTEX) is associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, but limited information is available on the effects of personal exposure to these compounds in South African populations. This 6-month follow-up study aims to determine 7-day personal ambient NO2 and BTEX exposure levels via compact passive diffusion samplers in female participants from Cape Town, and investigate whether exposure levels are associated with cardiovascular risk markers. Overall, the measured air pollutant exposure levels were lower compared to international standards. NO2 was positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and inversely associated with the central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and mean baseline brachial artery diameter. o-xylene was associated with DBP and benzene was strongly associated with carotid intima media thickness (cIMT). Our findings showed that personal air pollution exposure, even at relatively low levels, was associated with several markers of cardiovascular risk in women residing in the Cape Town region. ; This research was funded by the ERAfrica program of the EU 7th Framework Program (Grant number: IC-003), Department of Science and Technology in South Africa (Grant number: DST/CON 0077/2014), The Belgian Science Policy in Belgium (Grant number BL/67/eranet03), and the Osterreichische Agentur fur internationale Mobilitat und Kooperation in Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung, OeAD GmbH (OAD) in Austria (Grant number: KEF-Projekt P202). In addition, Frans Everson received a grant from Hasselt University in the context of BILA (bilateral) collaboration with Stellenbosch University (BOF16BL05).

In view of decreasing lead exposure and guidelines endorsing ambulatory above office blood pressure (BP) measurement, we reassessed association of BP with blood lead (BL) in 236 newly employed men (mean age, 28.6 years) without previous lead exposure not treated for hypertension. Office BP was the mean of five auscultatory readings at one visit. Twenty-four-hour BP was recorded at 15-and 30-minute intervals during wakefulness and sleep. BL was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Systolic/diastolic office BP averaged 120.0/80.7 mm Hg, and the 24-hour, awake, and asleep BP 125.5/73.6, 129.3/77.9, and 117.6/65.0 mm Hg, respectively. The geometric mean of blood lead was 4.5 mu g/dL (interquartile range, 2.60-9.15 mu g/dL). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, effect sizes associated with BL doubling were 0.79/0.87 mm Hg (P = .11/.043) for office BP and 0.29/-0.25, 0.60/-0.10, and -0.40/-0.43 mm Hg for 24-hour, awake, and asleep BP (P >= .33). Neither office nor 24-hour ambulatory hypertension was related to BL (P >= .14). A clinically relevant white coat effect (WCE; office minus awake BP, >= 20/>= 10 mm Hg) was attributable to exceeding the systolic or diastolic threshold in 1 and 45 workers, respectively. With BL doubling, the systolic/diastolic WCE increased by 0.20/0.97 mm Hg (P = .57/.046). Accounting for the presence of a diastolic WCE, reduced the association size of office diastolic BP with BL to 0.39 mm Hg (95% confidence interval,-0.20 to 1.33; P = .15). In conclusion, a cross-sectional analysis of newly hired workers before lead exposure identified the WCE as confounder of the association between office BP and BL and did not reveal any association between ambulatory BP and BL. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Society of Hypertension. ; The International Lead Zinc Research Organization supports SPHERL by an unrestricted research grant. The European Union (HEALTH-F7-305507 HOMAGE) and the European Research Council (Advanced Researcher Grant 2011-294713-EPLORE and Proof-of-Concept Grant 713601-uPROPHET) and the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium (G.0881.13) currently support the Studies Coordinating Centre in Leuven.

Objectives Higher than contemporary exposure levels and advanced age of study participants have limited the interpretation of previous studies relating neurocognitive function to lead exposure. We reassessed this association in young American men prior to chronic occupational exposure at lead recycling plants, using baseline measurements of the Study for Promotion of Health in Recycling Lead (NCT02243904). Methods We administered the Stroop test (ST) and the digit-symbol test (DST) to 339 men (mean age, 28.6 years; participation rate 82.7%). Whole blood lead (BL) was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and related ST and DST test results using multivariable-adjusted regression. Results Average values were 4.26 mu g/dL for BL, 1624 ms and 1474 ms for mean reaction time in incongruent and congruent ST trials, and 109 sec for mean total latency in DST. The number of participants with fully correct answers amounted to 281 (82.9%) and 334 (98.5%) in incongruent and congruent ST trials, respectively, and to 198 (58.4%) in the DST. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, there was no association between cognitive performance and BL except for a weak but opposite association in DST; for a 10-fold BL increment, mean total latency was 5.4% (95% confidence interval, -0.4-11.5%; P=0.066) higher, whereas the error score was 42% (-10-69%; P=0.096) lower. To exclude an effect of the cumulative lead dose, sensitivity analyses restricted to workers <40, 35 and 30 years were confirmatory. Conclusions At the exposure levels in our current study, we failed to demonstrate a consistent inverse association of BL with neurocognitive performance in young American men. ; The European Union (HEALTH-F7-305507 HOM-AGE) and the European Research Council (Advanced Researcher Grant 2011-294713-EPLORE and Proof-of-Concept Grant 713601-uPROPHET), the European Research Area Net for Cardiovascular Diseases (JTC2017-046-PROACT), and the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium (G.0881.13) currently support the Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Research. The sponsors had no role in the preparation of this report

Background-Experimental studies have demonstrated that lead and cadmium have direct toxic effects on the myocardium, but the few human studies are limited by design, assessment of exposure, and use of heart failure as a late-stage endpoint. Methods and Results-In a prospective population study, we studied the association of left ventricular (LV) function with blood lead (BPb) and 24-hour urinary cadmium (UCd). In 179 participants randomly recruited from a Flemish population (50.3% women; mean age 39.1 years), geometric mean BPb and UCd at enrollment (1985-2000) were 0.20 mu mol/L and 6.1 nmol, respectively. We assessed systolic and diastolic LV function 11.9 years (median) later (2005-2010) by using Doppler imaging of the transmitral blood flow and the mitral annular movement and speckle tracking. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression, LV systolic function decreased with BPb. For a doubling of exposure, estimates were -0.392% for global longitudinal strain (P=0.034), -0.618% and -0.113 s (1) for regional longitudinal strain (P=0.028)and strain rate (P=0.008), and -0.056 s (1) for regional radial strain rate (P=0.050). Regional longitudinal strain rate (-0.066 s (1), P=0.009)and regional radial strain (-2.848%, P=0.015) also decreased with UCd. Models including both exposure indexes did not allow differentiating whether LV dysfunction was predominately related to BPb or UCd. Diastolic LV function was not associated with BPb or UCd (P=0.159). Conclusions-Although effect sizes were small, our results suggest that environmental exposure to lead, cadmium, or both might be a risk factor for systolic LV dysfunction, a condition often proceeding to heart failure. ; European Union [HEALTH-FP7-278249-EUMAS-CARA, HEALTH-F7-305507 HOMAGE]; European Union (European Research Council) [2011-294713-EPLORE]; European Union (Proof-of-Concept Grant) [713601-uPRO-PHET]; Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium [G.0881.13, G.0880.13]

BACKGROUND The heart ejects in the central elastic arteries. No previous study in workers described the diurnal profile of central blood pressure (BP) or addressed the question whether electrocardiogram (ECG) indexes are more closely associated with central than peripheral BP. METHODS In 177 men (mean age, 29.1 years), we compared the associations of ECG indexes with brachial and central ambulatory BP, measured over 24 hours by the validated oscillometric Mobil-O-Graph 24h PWA monitor. RESULTS From wakefulness to sleep, as documented by diaries, systolic/diastolic BP decreased by 11.7/13.1 mm Hg peripherally and 9.3/13.6 mm Hg centrally, whereas central pulse pressure (PP) increased by 4.3 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). Over 24 hours and the awake and asleep periods, the peripheral-minus-central differences in systolic/diastolic BPs averaged 11.8/-1.6, 12.7/-1.8, and 10.3/-1.2 mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.0001). Cornell voltage and index averaged 1.18 mV and 114.8 mV.ms. Per 1-SD increment in systolic/diastolic BP, the Cornell voltages were 0.104/0.086 mV and 0.082/0.105 mV higher in relation to brachial 24-hour and asleep BP and 0.088/0.90 mV and 0.087/0.107 mV higher in relation to central BP. The corresponding estimates for the Cornell indexes were 9.6/8.6 and 8.2/10.5 mV.ms peripherally and 8.6/8.9 and 8.8/10.7 mV.ms centrally. The regression slopes (P = 0.067) and correlation coefficients (P = 0.088) were similar for brachial and central BP. Associations of ECG measurements with awake BP and PP were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral and central BPs run in parallel throughout the day and are similarly associated with the Cornell voltage and index. ; The authors acknowledge the expert clerical assistance of Vera De Leebeeck, Yvette Piccart, and Renilde Wolfs. ILZRO supports SPHERL by an unrestricted research grant. The European Union (HEALTH-F7-305507 HOMAGE) and the European Research Council (Advanced Researcher Grant 2011-294713-EPLORE and Proof-of-Concept Grant 713601-uPROPHET) and the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium (G.0881.13) currently support the Studies Coordinating Centre in Leuven.

Background Stiffening and calcification of the large arteries are forerunners of cardiovascular complications. MGP (Matrix Gla protein), which requires vitamin K–dependent activation, is a potent locally acting inhibitor of arterial calcification. We hypothesized that the central hemodynamic properties might be associated with inactive desphospho‐uncarboxylated MGP (dp‐ucMGP). Methods and Results In 835 randomly recruited Flemish individuals (mean age, 49.7 years; 45.6% women), we measured plasma dp‐ucMGP, using an ELISA‐based assay. We derived central pulse pressure and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) from applanation tonometry and calculated forward and backward pulse waves using an automated, pressure‐based wave separation analysis algorithm. Aortic PWV (n=657), central pulse pressure, forward pulse wave, and backward pulse wave mean±SD values were 7.34±1.64 m/s, 45.2±15.3 mm Hg, 33.2±10.2 mm Hg, and 21.8±8.6 mm Hg, respectively. The geometric mean plasma concentration of dp‐ucMGP was 4.09 μg/L. All hemodynamic indexes increased across tertiles of dp‐ucMGP distribution. In multivariable‐adjusted analyses, a doubling of dp‐ucMGP was associated with higher PWV (0.15 m/s; 95% CI, 0.01–0.28 m/s), central pulse pressure (1.70 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.49–2.91 mm Hg), forward pulse wave (0.93 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.01–1.84 mm Hg), and backward pulse wave (0.71 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.11–1.30 mm Hg). Categorization of aortic PWV by tertiles of its distribution highlighted a decreasing trend of PWV at low dp‐ucMGP (<3.35 μg/L) and an increasing trend at high dp‐ucMGP (≥5.31 μg/L). Conclusions In people representative for the general population, higher inactive dp‐ucMGP was associated with greater PWV, central pulse pressure, forward pulse wave, and backward pulse wave. These observations highlight new avenues for preserving vascular integrity and preventing cardiovascular complications (eg, by improving a person's vitamin K status). ; This work was supported by the European Union (HEALTH‐F7‐305507‐HOMAGE), the European Research Council (Advanced Researcher Grant 2011‐294713‐EPLORE and Proof‐of‐Concept Grant 713601‐uPROPHET), and the European Research Area Net for Cardiovascular Diseases (JTC2017‐046‐PROACT); and the Research Foundation Flanders, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium (G.0881.13 and 11Z0916N), supported the Studies Coordinating Center in Leuven, Belgium.

Background: Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) predicts cardiovascular complications, but the association of central arterial properties with blood lead level (BL) is poorly documented. We therefore assessed their association with BL in 150 young men prior to occupational lead exposure, using baseline data of the Study for Promotion of Health in Recycling Lead (NCT02243904). Methods: Study nurses administered validated questionnaires and performed clinical measurements. Venous blood samples were obtained after 8-12h of fasting. The radial, carotid and femoral pulse waves were tonometrically recorded. We accounted for ethnicity, age, anthropometric characteristics, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, smoking and drinking, and total and high-density lipoprotein serum cholesterol, as appropriate. Results: Mean values were 4.14 mu g/dL for BL, 27 years for age, 108/79/28 mm Hg for central systolic/diastolic/pulse pressure, 100/10% for the augmentation ratio/index, 1.63 for pressure amplification, 5.94 m/s for a PWV, 27/11 mm Hg for the forward/backward pulse pressure height, and 43% for the reflection index. Per 10-fold BL increase, central diastolic pressure and the augmentation ratio were respectively 5.37 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-9.75) and 1.57 (CI, 0.20-2.94) greater, whereas central pulse pressure and the forward pulse pressure height were 3.74 mm Hg (CI, 0.60-6.88) and 3.37mm Hg (CI, 0.22-6.53) smaller (p <=.036 for all). The other hemodynamic measurements were unrelated to BL. The reflected pulse peak time was inversely correlated with diastolic pressure (r = -0.20; p <= .017). Conclusion: At the exposure levels observed in our current study, aPWV, the gold standard to assess arterial stiffness, was not associated with BL. Increased peripheral arterial resistance, as reflected by higher diastolic pressure, might bring reflection points closer to the heart, thereby moving the backward wave into systole and increasing the augmentation ratio in relation to BL. ; The European Union [HEALTH-F7-305507 HOMAGE] and the European Research Council [Advanced Researcher Grant 2011-294713-EPLORE and Proof-of-Concept Grant 713601-uPROPHET], the European Research Area Net for Cardiovascular Diseases [JTC2017-046-PROACT], and the Research Foundation Flanders, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium [G.0881.13] currently support the Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Research. An unrestricted grant from the International Lead Association (www.ila-lead.org) partially supports the data collection and analysis of the current data. The sponsors had no role in the preparation of this report.

Background-Stiffening and calcification of the large arteries are forerunners of cardiovascular complications. MGP (Matrix Gla protein), which requires vitamin K-dependent activation, is a potent locally acting inhibitor of arterial calcification. We hypothesized that the central hemodynamic properties might be associated with inactive desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP). Methods and Results-In 835 randomly recruited Flemish individuals (mean age, 49.7 years; 45.6% women), we measured plasma dp-ucMGP, using an ELISA-based assay. We derived central pulse pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) from applanation tonometry and calculated forward and backward pulse waves using an automated, pressure-based wave separation analysis algorithm. Aortic PWV (n 657), central pulse pressure, forward pulse wave, and backward pulse wave mean +/- SD values were 7.34 +/- 1.64 m/s, 45.2 +/- 15.3 mm Hg, 33.2 +/- 10.2 mm Hg, and 21.8 +/- 8.6 mm Hg, respectively. The geometric mean plasma concentration of dp-ucMGP was 4.09 mu g/L. All hemodynamic indexes increased across tertiles of dp-ucMGP distribution. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, a doubling of dp-ucMGP was associated with higher PWV (0.15 m/s; 95% CI, 0.01-0.28 m/s), central pulse pressure (1.70 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.49-2.91 mm Hg), forward pulse wave (0.93 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.01-1.84 mm Hg), and backward pulse wave (0.71 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.11-1.30 mm Hg). Categorization of aortic PWV by tertiles of its distribution highlighted a decreasing trend of PWV at low dp-ucMGP (= 5.31 mu g/L). Conclusions-In people representative for the general population, higher inactive dp-ucMGP was associated with greater PWV, central pulse pressure, forward pulse wave, and backward pulse wave. These observations highlight new avenues for preserving vascular integrity and preventing cardiovascular complications (eg, by improving a person's vitamin K status). ; This work was supported by the European Union (HEALTH-F7-305507-HOMAGE), the European Research Council (Advanced Researcher Grant 2011-294713-EPLORE and Proof-of-Concept Grant 713601-uPROPHET), and the European Research Area Net for Cardiovascular Diseases (JTC2017-046-PROACT); and the Research Foundation Flanders, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, Belgium (G.0881.13 and 11Z0916N), supported the Studies Coordinating Center in Leuven, Belgium.