Telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary artery...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Investigated telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients.
• Compared these markers to healthy controls.
• Examined the association between telomerase activity and overall mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in ACS and SCAD patients.
• To compare these levels with a control group.
• To assess the relationship between telomerase activity and mortality.

Main Methods:

• Included 211 patients (78 ACS, 71 SCAD).
• Measured serum telomerase concentration using ELISA for activity.
• Assessed hTERT gene expression via real-time PCR.

Main Results:

• Serum telomerase concentration was not significantly different between ACS, SCAD, and control groups (p = 0.890).
• hTERT gene expression was lower in ACS (2.7-fold) and SCAD (2.2-fold) groups compared to controls, but not statistically significant (p = 0.070 and p = 0.101, respectively).
• Telomerase concentrations showed no significant difference between deceased and survived patients in either ACS or SCAD groups.

Conclusions:

• Telomerase activity and hTERT expression levels were comparable across ACS, SCAD, and control groups.
• Telomerase activity was not found to be a predictor of all-cause mortality over a 32-month follow-up period.