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Published on: January 28, 2020
Correlation between the severity of coronary artery lesions and levels of estrogen, hs-CRP and MMP-9
Changlei Guo1, Shaoli Zhang1, Junbiao Zhang1
1Department of Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China.
Insights
Lower estrogen and higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels correlate with severe coronary artery lesions in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). These biomarkers may help assess lesion severity and plaque stability.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a spectrum of conditions including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP).
- The severity of coronary artery lesions and plaque stability are critical factors in ACS prognosis.
- Estrogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are implicated in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between coronary artery lesion severity in ACS patients and serum levels of estrogen, hs-CRP, and MMP-9.
- To explore the interrelationships between these biomarkers and their association with different ACS subtypes and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A study enrolled 65 ACS patients (30 AMI, 35 UAP), 33 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), and 36 healthy controls.
- Serum levels of estrogen, hs-CRP, and MMP-9 were measured in all participants.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine correlations between biomarker levels and clinical parameters, including lesion severity.
Main Results:
- Serum estrogen levels were significantly lower in AMI, UAP, and SAP patients compared to controls, with a progressive decrease from SAP to UAP to AMI.
- Patients with AMI exhibited the highest levels of hs-CRP and MMP-9, followed by UAP and SAP patients, compared to controls.
- Estrogen levels showed a negative correlation with hs-CRP and MMP-9, while hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels were positively correlated. Both hs-CRP and MMP-9 positively correlated with the number of stenosed coronary vessels, whereas estrogen showed a negative correlation.
Conclusions:
- Serum estrogen, hs-CRP, and MMP-9 levels are significantly correlated with the severity of coronary artery lesions in ACS.
- The interrelationship between these biomarkers suggests a complex interplay in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease.
- These biomarkers hold potential for evaluating coronary artery lesion severity and the stability of coronary artery plaques.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and levels of estrogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). A total of 65 patients with ACS, 33 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 36 healthy controls were randomly enrolled. Patients with ACS were subdivided into two groups: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n=30) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP; n=35). Serum levels of estrogen, hs-CRP and MMP-9 were detected in the four groups of subjects. Serum estrogen levels in patients with AMI, UAP and SAP were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Estrogen levels were also significantly different among the AMI, UAP and SAP groups (P<0.05), with a progressive increase across the three respective groups. Compared with healthy subjects, patients with AMI had the highest levels of hs-CRP and MMP-9, followed in descending order by those with UAP and SAP (P<0.05). Levels of hs-CRP and MMP-9 were also significantly different among the AMI, UAP and SAP groups (P<0.05). Serum estrogen levels were negatively correlated with hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels (r=-0.6634 and -0.6878, respectively; both P<0.05). hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels correlated positively (r=0.7208, P<0.05). The number of stenosed coronary vessels was negatively correlated with estrogen levels (r=-0.6467, P<0.05), and positively correlated with hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels (r=0.6519 and 0.6835, respectively; both P<0.05). In conclusion, serum estrogen, hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels were significantly correlated with the severity of coronary artery lesions. There was also a significant correlation between serum estrogen, hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels. These data indicate that serum estrogen, hs-CRP and MMP-9 have the potential to be used as biomarkers for evaluating the severity of coronary artery lesions and the stability of coronary artery plaques.
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