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High hexacosanoic acid levels are associated with coronary artery disease
Tetsuro Miyazaki1, Kazunori Shimada1, Makoto Hiki1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
Insights
High levels of hexacosanoic acid (C26:0), a saturated very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA), are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding suggests C26:0 may serve as an independent marker for CAD risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Metabolic Health
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are associated with coronary risk factors like metabolic syndrome (MS), atherogenic lipoproteins, and inflammation.
- The direct relationship between circulating saturated VLCFA levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been clearly established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) levels and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To determine if C26:0 serves as an independent risk marker for CAD.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 100 CAD patients and 40 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and BMI.
- Whole blood levels of hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) were quantified using gas-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- C26:0 levels were significantly higher in CAD patients compared to controls (P=0.01).
- C26:0 levels positively correlated with BMI, triglyceride levels, and hypertension.
- Elevated C26:0 levels in CAD patients were observed independently of metabolic syndrome (MS) and served as an independent marker for CAD in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions:
- High whole blood C26:0 levels may represent an independent biomarker for identifying individuals at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Further research into C26:0 as a diagnostic or prognostic tool for CAD is warranted.
Aims:
Levels of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are associated with coronary risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MS), atherogenic lipoproteins, and systemic inflammation. However, the relationship between circulating levels of saturated VLCFA and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear.
Method:
We enrolled 100 consecutive CAD patients and 40 age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy control subjects. The levels of hexacosanoic acid (C26:0), a VLCFA, in whole blood were measured by gas-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Results:
C26:0 levels were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the control group (2.42±0.32 vs. 2.27±0.24 μg/ml, P=0.01) and positively correlated with BMI (r=0.23, P=0.008), triglyceride levels (r=0.22, P=0.01), and hypertension (P=0.01). CAD patients with MS showed the highest C26:0 levels adjusted by hematocrit. Furthermore, adjusted C26:0 levels in CAD patients without MS were higher than those in controls (P=0.02), suggesting that C26:0 levels increased with the presence of CAD independent of MS. Our multivariate analysis revealed that high C26:0 levels in whole blood is an independent marker for CAD even after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose, and blood pressure.
Conclusion:
High C26:0 levels in whole blood may be an independent marker for identifying the risks of CAD.
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