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Prognostic value of the high-mobility group box-1 in young patients with chest pain
Shaghayegh Haghjooy-Javanmard1, Masoumeh Sadeghi2, Shiva Safavi3
1Associate Professor, Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
High levels of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in the blood are linked to a higher risk of coronary artery plaque. This finding suggests HMGB1 may play a role in atherosclerosis progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Inflammatory Diseases
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is recognized as an inflammatory condition.
- Inflammation from injury is implicated in all phases of atherosclerosis.
- High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is released by injured endothelium and activated immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HMGB1 in the progression of atherosclerosis.
- To determine if HMGB1 levels correlate with cardiovascular disease risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 135 patients with unstable angina undergoing angiography.
- Case group: 40 patients with confirmed coronary artery disease; Control group: 40 healthy individuals.
- Blood samples were analyzed for HMGB1 levels; demographic and medical history data were collected.
Main Results:
- Mean plasma HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in the coronary artery disease group (27.1 ± 2.9 ng/ml) compared to controls (19.6 ± 1.9 ng/ml).
- Elevated HMGB1 (> 15.03 ng/ml) was associated with a 2.5-fold increased odds of having coronary artery plaque (OR = 2.50, P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma concentrations of HMGB1 may indicate an increased risk for developing coronary atherosclerosis.
- HMGB1 warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk.
Background:
Atherosclerosis is accepted as an inflammatory disease. Evidence suggests that inflammation evoked by injury plays a pathogenic role in all stages of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate whether the high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) a proinflammatory cytokine/nuclear protein, which is derived from both injured endothelium and activated macrophages/monocytes, could contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
Methods:
This study was designed as case-control. A total of 135 patients who referred to the hospital due to angina pectoris had the diagnosis of unstable angina and were candidates of angiography were recruited in this study. Forty patients who had coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography were considered as case group and control group consists of 40 persons who had no plaque, and 55 persons were excluded according to the exclusion criteria. At first, a questionnaire was filled for each patient including demographic factors and their medical history. Then a blood sample was taken to assess the level of HMGB1. Data were analyzed using SPSS, Student's independent t-test, and chi-square tests.
Results:
The mean plasma level of HMGB1 in the case group was 27.1 ± 2.9 ng/ml, while it was 19.6 ± 1.9 ng/ml in control groups (P = 0.03). The odds ratio for coronary artery plaque associated with high (> 15.03 ng/ml) levels of HMGB1 was 2.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.17, P = 0.03).
Conclusion:
Increased plasma HMGB1 concentration may be associated with an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis.
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