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Microparticles as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular disease
Carolina Nunes França1, Maria Cristina de Oliveira Izar1, Jônatas Bussador do Amaral1
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Microparticles, cell-derived vesicles, show potential as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Further research and standardized methods are needed to establish their clinical utility in primary prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention is critical for public health.
- Microparticles, released from activated or apoptotic cells, are emerging biomarkers.
- Elevated microparticle levels are associated with various pathologies, including CVD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microparticles in cardiovascular disease.
- To explore the impact of lipid-lowering therapies on microparticle levels.
- To highlight the need for standardization in microparticle detection for clinical application.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating microparticles and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of research on lipid-lowering therapies and their effect on microparticles.
- Assessment of current methodologies for microparticle quantification.
Main Results:
- Microparticles are implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases.
- Lipid-lowering therapies may influence microparticle levels, though findings are varied.
- Significant controversy exists regarding pathological microparticle levels.
Conclusions:
- Microparticles hold promise as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease assessment.
- Methodological variations hinder the clinical adoption of microparticles.
- Standardization of protocols is essential for utilizing microparticles in clinical practice.
Abstract:
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is a choice of great relevance because of its impact on health. Some biomarkers, such as microparticles derived from different cell populations, have been considered useful in the assessment of cardiovascular disease. Microparticles are released by the membrane structures of different cell types upon activation or apoptosis, and are present in the plasma of healthy individuals (in levels considered physiological) and in patients with different pathologies. Many studies have suggested an association between microparticles and different pathological conditions, mainly the relationship with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the effects of different lipid-lowering therapies have been described in regard to measurement of microparticles. The studies are still controversial regarding the levels of microparticles that can be considered pathological. In addition, the methodologies used still vary, suggesting the need for standardization of the different protocols applied, aiming at using microparticles as biomarkers in clinical practice.
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