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June 12, 2026JVS Vascular ScienceOpen Access

Vulnerable carotid plaques contain elevated ceramides, hexosylceramides, and triglycerides versus nonvulnerable plaques.

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Why the study?

Profiles of ceramides and triglycerides in carotid plaque vulnerability have not been systematically evaluated.

Are there distinct lipidomic profiles associated with vulnerable carotid artery plaques compared to nonvulnerable plaques?

Population

28 patients with carotid plaques

Comparison

Vulnerable vs nonvulnerable carotid plaques defined by MRA-VWI

Design

Prospective single-center case-control study

Key result

Vulnerable carotid plaques had significantly higher levels of ceramides, hexosylceramides, monosialodihexosylganglioside, and triglycerides compared with nonvulnerable plaques.

Authors

CPCamilo Polanía-SandovalJacksonville CollegeJCJisha ChandranManipal Academy of Higher EducationJMJ MeschiaJacksonville College

Discussion

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Overview

Lipid elevations in vulnerable carotid plaques may inform biomarker research; leaves open diagnostic or therapeutic utility pending prospective validation.

Key Points

  • To analyze the lipid profiles of vulnerable carotid plaques compared to nonvulnerable plaques using lipidomics.
  • Prospective single-center case-control study
  • Enrolled 28 patients from April 2023 to August 2024
  • Used LC-MS/MS for lipid characterization and magnetic resonance angiography with vessel wall imaging for plaque evaluation.
  • Identified 400 lipid species across 27 subclasses.
  • Ceramides, hexosylceramides, monosialodihexosylgangliosides, and triglycerides were significantly elevated in vulnerable plaques compared to nonvulnerable plaques.
  • These lipid alterations suggest potential biological processes involved in plaque destabilization.

Study Design

Type

Case-Control (n=28)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Are there distinct lipidomic profiles associated with vulnerable carotid artery plaques compared to nonvulnerable plaques?

P
Population
28 patients with carotid plaques assessed for vulnerability using magnetic resonance angiography with vessel wall imaging.
E
Exposure
Untargeted global lipidomics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on excised plaques
C
Comparator
Nonvulnerable plaques (as defined by MRA-VWI)
O
Outcome
Differences in lipid profiles between vulnerable and nonvulnerable plaquessurrogate

Vulnerable carotid plaques exhibit a distinct lipidomic profile enriched in ceramides, glycosphingolipids, gangliosides, and triglycerides, which may serve as biomarkers for plaque destabilization.

Cite This Study

Polanía-Sandoval et al. (2026) conducted a case-control in Carotid artery disease (n=28). Vulnerable carotid plaques vs. Nonvulnerable carotid plaques was evaluated on Differences in lipid profiles. Vulnerable carotid plaques had significantly higher levels of ceramides, hexosylceramides, monosialodihexosylganglioside, and triglycerides compared with nonvulnerable plaques.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2ba2c18101cf8926f01a24https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100421
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Linking Lipidomics to Vulnerable Coronary Plaques: A PROSPECT II Substudy2026
  2. 2Identification of metabolic components of carotid plaque in high‐risk patients utilizing liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry2024 · 1 citations
  3. 3Relationship between Plasma Lipidomics and Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque2020
  4. 4Molecular Pathways of Vulnerability Carotid Plaques at Risk for Ischemic Stroke: A Narrative Review2024 · 16 citations
  5. 5Quantification of carotid plaque lipid content with magnetic resonance T2 mapping in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy2017 · 23 citations