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A High-Throughput Luciferase Assay to Evaluate Proteolysis of the Single-Turnover Protease PCSK9
Published on: August 28, 2018
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Circulating PCSK9 is lowered acutely following surgery.
Irena Druce1, Hussein Abujrad1,2, Seham Chaker1
1Clinical Research Laboratory, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
|November 18, 2017
Summary
Acute surgical stress initially decreases proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) levels, contrary to some previous findings. This early drop in PCSK9 and lipids suggests a different response to stress within 24 hours.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Lipid Metabolism
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) typically decreases after acute stress.
- Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) regulates LDL clearance; it's predicted to decrease, but some studies show an increase 1-8 days post-stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early changes in plasma PCSK9 within 24 hours of acute surgical stress.
Main Methods:
- Measured serum lipids and plasma PCSK9 in 39 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
- Collected samples before and shortly after the surgical procedure.
Main Results:
- Observed an early decrease in PCSK9 following surgery.
- Also noted a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, and triglycerides.
Conclusions:
- This study found an initial fall in PCSK9 after acute surgical stress, differing from studies showing a later increase.
- The discrepancy may be due to the earlier measurement timing.
- Further research is needed to clarify PCSK9's role as an acute-phase reactant and its biphasic response to stress.
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