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Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Glycocalyx with Atomic Force Microscopy
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Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Glycocalyx with Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: February 21, 2013

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Relationship between the endothelial glycocalyx and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis

Xian-Jun Xue1, Yan Jiang2, Liang Chen1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994)
|September 8, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Glycocalyx (EG) thickness is reduced in coronary atherosclerosis patients, correlating with disease severity. Intracoronary hyaluronic acid (HA) levels increase, also indicating more severe coronary atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Microcirculation Research
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Coronary atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.
  • The role of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in atherosclerosis is under investigation.
  • Accurate assessment of atherosclerosis severity is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between endothelial glycocalyx (EG) thickness and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
  • To evaluate intracoronary hyaluronic acid (HA) levels in relation to coronary atherosclerosis.
  • To determine the potential of EG thickness and HA levels as auxiliary diagnostic markers.

Main Methods:

  • 193 subjects were divided into coronary heart disease (CHD) and non-CHD groups.
  • Sublingual microcirculation was visualized using a SDF video microscope for EG thickness measurement.
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine HA levels in peripheral and coronary circulation.
  • Coronary artery lesions and Gensini score were assessed to quantify atherosclerosis severity.

Main Results:

  • EG thickness was significantly lower in the CHD group (242.18 ± 10.10 nm) compared to the non-CHD group (251.78 ± 10.59 nm, P < 0.001).
  • A negative correlation was observed between EG thickness and the number of coronary lesions and Gensini score.
  • Intracoronary HA levels were higher in the CHD group (48.60, 126.27) than in the non-CHD group (20.60, 34.45, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with disease severity.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) damage is associated with the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
  • EG thickness in oral capillaries and intracoronary HA levels can serve as auxiliary indicators for assessing coronary atherosclerosis severity.
Abstract

Keywords:
coronary heart diseaseglycocalyxhyaluronic acid

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