Human Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 (Endocan) and Coronary Artery Disease and Microvascular Angina

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Immunology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) is an established marker of endothelial activation and inflammation.
• Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in various cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and microvascular angina (MVA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between plasma endocan levels and the presence and severity of obstructive CAD and MVA.
• To determine if endocan serves as an independent predictor for these conditions, considering factors like hypertension.

Main Methods:

• Plasma endocan levels were measured in 53 healthy controls, 40 MVA patients, and 120 obstructive CAD patients.
• Coronary artery disease severity was quantified using Gensini and SYNTAX scores.
• Statistical analyses, including subgroup analysis for hypertensive and normotensive individuals, were performed to assess endocan's predictive value.

Main Results:

• Endocan levels were significantly higher in both obstructive CAD (382.7 pg/mL) and MVA (324.3 pg/mL) groups compared to controls (268.0 pg/mL).
• Plasma endocan levels were similar between obstructive CAD and MVA groups.
• Endocan independently predicted obstructive CAD, even in normotensive individuals, and positively correlated with the SYNTAX score in both hypertensive and normotensive subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Plasma endocan levels are elevated in conditions characterized by endothelial activation and inflammation, such as obstructive CAD and MVA.
• Endocan may serve as a common biomarker for endothelium-dependent inflammatory processes underlying these cardiovascular conditions, rather than being specific to certain risk factors like hypertension.