ABO blood groups in relation to biomarkers of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults – the LBA study

BACKGROUND: In the elderly, ABO blood groups influence the risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic events, with blood group O consistently showing a more favorable risk profile. However, whether these differences affect physiological markers of vascular structure or subclinical metabolic traits in early adulthood remains poorly studied. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, cardiovascular disease-related biomarkers in serum, measures of vascular structure and function, pulse-wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and ABO blood groups were assessed in a sample of young, healthy subjects aged 18-26 years. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in PWV, AIx, or cIMT were identified across the different ABO blood groups. Conversely, the serum biomarkers showed distinct profiles. Individuals with blood group O presented with lower plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) compared to all non-O carriers (0.84 kIE/L vs. non-O, 1.09 kIE/L, p < 0.05). Furthermore, blood group O carriers demonstrated significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels (4.96 mmol/L vs. 5.02 mmol/L, p = 0.02) and a trend toward lower fasting serum insulin levels (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: ABO blood groups were not associated with measures of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults. Non-O blood groups were associated with higher vWF levels and altered glucose metabolism, suggesting that circulating cardiometabolic risk markers vary by blood group early in life.