Altered p53 Gene Expression in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Dyslipidemia: Implications for Atherogenesis

A concerning increase in coronary artery disease (CAD) among younger Indians calls attention to genetic biomarkers that indicate early vascular stress. The tumor suppressor gene p53, known primarily for its oncogenic role, also modulates vascular apoptosis and inflammation. However, its link with metabolic and nitrosative stress in CAD remains underexplored.

To determine the potential of p53 as an integrated biomarker and to analyze the connection between p53 gene expression, lipid abnormalities, inflammatory (IL-6) and nitrosative (3-nitrotyrosine) markers in CAD.

In this case-control study, 90 CAD patients and 90 age-matched healthy controls (18-50 years old) participated. Enzymatic techniques were used to evaluate lipid profile parameters, RT-PCR was used to detect p53 gene expression (2^^-ΔΔCt method), and ELISA was used to quantify the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT). Data were analyzed with t-test, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, and Pearson correlation (p < 0.05).

CAD subjects showed higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, IL-6,and 3-NT, and lower HDL-C compared with controls (all p < 0.01). p53 was up-regulated 1.6-fold in CAD and correlated positively with 3-NT (r = 0.709, p < 0.001) and IL-6 (r = 0.513, p < 0.01).

This is the first Indian case-control study to integrate p53 gene expression with lipid, inflammatory, and nitrosative markers in relatively young CAD patients, offering a novel molecular perspective on early atherogenesis.