Proteoglycan Remodeling Is Accelerated in Females with Angina Pectoris and Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis: the iPOWER...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biochemistry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with poor outcomes, potentially due to diffuse myocardial fibrosis (DMF).
• Proteoglycans biglycan and versican are implicated in the matrix remodeling characteristic of DMF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the levels and role of biglycan and versican in females experiencing angina without obstructive CAD.
• To explore the association between these proteoglycans and myocardial fibrotic remodeling.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-one females with angina and no obstructive CAD were enrolled, alongside asymptomatic controls.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was used to assess extracellular volume, a marker of fibrosis.
• Serum levels of biglycan and versican were measured and correlated with CMR findings.

Main Results:

• Symptomatic females exhibited significantly higher biglycan (31.4 ng/mL vs. 16.4 ng/mL) and versican (2.1 ng/mL vs. 1.8 ng/mL) levels compared to controls (p < 0.001 for both).
• Biglycan and versican levels showed moderate correlations with extracellular volume (r² = 0.38 and r² = 0.26, respectively).
• Increased turnover of biglycan and versican was observed in patients with angina and no obstructive CAD.

Conclusions:

• Elevated biglycan and versican levels and increased turnover are present in females with angina and no obstructive CAD.
• These findings support a link between biglycan, versican, and fibrotic remodeling in the context of angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease.