Previous studies indicated that circulating endothelial activation molecules (i.e. vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin and P-selectin)17, 18, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)19 are indicators of vascular endothelial dysfunction and early-stage atherosclerosis. Here, VCAM1 is linked to atherosclerosis.