KLK8: charting new territories in left ventricular hypertrophy biomarker research

Buqing Cao1, Wenhong Yu1, Zhihong Diao1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China.

PubMed

Insights

Serum Kallikrein-related peptidase 8 (KLK8) shows promise as a biomarker for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients. Higher KLK8 levels were observed in patients with LVH, indicating its diagnostic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events in hypertensive individuals.
  • Early detection of LVH is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
  • Novel biomarkers are needed to enhance the diagnostic capabilities for LVH in hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diagnostic potential of serum Kallikrein-related peptidase 8 (KLK8) for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
  • To evaluate the association between serum KLK8 levels and the presence of LVH in hypertensive patients.

Main Methods:

  • Serum KLK8 levels were measured using ELISA in 62 hypertensive patients with LVH, 60 hypertensive patients without LVH, and 60 healthy controls.
  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was diagnosed via echocardiography based on LVMI thresholds.
  • Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to assess the diagnostic performance of KLK8.

Main Results:

  • Serum KLK8 levels were significantly elevated in hypertensive patients with LVH compared to those without LVH and healthy controls.
  • KLK8 levels demonstrated a positive correlation with blood pressure and cardiac structural parameters (IVST, LVPWT, LVEDD).
  • ROC analysis indicated high sensitivity and specificity for KLK8 in detecting LVH.

Conclusions:

  • Serum KLK8 possesses significant diagnostic value for predicting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients.
  • KLK8 may serve as a potential non-invasive biomarker for early LVH detection in the context of hypertension.
Abstract