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Published on: August 28, 2018
Association between antibodies against calcifying nanoparticles and mitral annular calcification
Basar Candemir1, Fatih Sinan Ertas, Cansin Tulunay Kaya
1Department of Cardiology, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Basarcandemir@yahoo.com
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
|January 11, 2011
Summary
Calcifying nanoparticle (CNP) infection may play a role in mitral annular calcification (MAC). Higher anti-CNP-antibody levels were associated with MAC, suggesting CNP as a potential factor in its development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Infectious disease mechanisms
- Nanoparticle biology
Background:
- Vascular and tissue calcification mechanisms remain unclear.
- A controversial calcifying nanoparticle (CNP), also known as 'nanobacteria', has been linked to vascular calcification and kidney stones.
- The potential role of CNP infection in mitral annular calcification (MAC) requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and calcifying nanoparticle (CNP) infection.
- To determine if anti-CNP-antibody levels correlate with the presence and severity of MAC.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to detect MAC in 93 patients.
- 94 asymptomatic subjects without calcification served as controls.
- Serum anti-CNP-antibody levels were measured in all participants.
Main Results:
- Anti-CNP-antibody titers were significantly associated with MAC (p < 0.0001).
- Antibody levels increased with age and MAC thickness, and decreased with higher HDL-cholesterol.
- A cut-off of 0.19 units/ml for anti-CNP-antibodies showed 73% sensitivity and 72% specificity for MAC detection.
Conclusions:
- Calcifying nanoparticles (CNP) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of mitral annular calcification (MAC).
- Elevated anti-CNP-antibody titers are an independent risk factor for MAC.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of CNP in cardiovascular calcification.
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