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Activity of leucocyte elastase in women with coronary artery disease documented using angiography
A Amaro1, F Gude, J R González-Juanatey
1Cardiology Service, Hospital General y Clínico de Galicia, Santiage de Compostela, Spain.
Insights
Higher leucocyte elastase levels are linked to coronary artery disease in women. This study found significantly elevated elastase concentrations in women with coronary stenosis, suggesting its role in arterial disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis
Background:
- Leucocyte elastase (LE) is implicated in atherosclerosis development.
- Understanding LE's role in arterial disease in women is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between leucocyte elastase and coronary artery disease in women.
- To characterize the role of LE in the pathogenesis of arterial disease.
Main Methods:
- Coronary angiography was performed on 42 women.
- Blood samples were analyzed for neutrophil elastase concentrations, leucocyte counts, and lipid levels.
- Clinical data including age, comorbidities, and family history were collected.
Main Results:
- Women with coronary stenosis (group 2) had significantly higher elastase levels than those without lesions (group 1).
- Multivariate analysis identified age and elastase levels as independent predictors of coronary artery disease.
- Group 2 patients were older, more frequently diabetic, and had a higher incidence of family history of ischaemic cardiomyopathy.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral blood elastase concentration is elevated in women with coronary artery stenosis.
- Leucocyte elastase may serve as a biomarker for coronary artery disease in women.
Background:
Recent studies suggest that leucocyte elastase is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to characterize the role of leucocyte elastase in arterial disease in women.
Methods:
Forty-two women underwent coronary angiography because of chest pain or valvulopathy. Twenty-three showed no signs of lesions (group 1) and 19 had coronary stenosis (group 2). Their age, weight and height were recorded, together with the presence of angina, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, any family history of coronary disease and levels of tobacco consumption. Leucocyte counts, lipid levels and neutrophil elastase concentrations were determined from peripheral blood samples.
Results:
Levels of elastase were found to be significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (mean +/- SD 53.3 +/- 15.9 compared with 28.6 +/- 16.8 micrograms/l, P < 0.01). Patients from group 2, who had a greater mean age (69 +/- 7 compared with 58 +/- 9 years for group 1, p < 0.001), were more often diabetic (26% compared with 0%, p < 0.05) and were more likely to have family histories of ischaemic cardiomyopathy (59% compared with 18%, P < 0.05). However, multivariate analysis indicated that age and elastase levels were of independent value as predictors of coronary artery disease.
Conclusion:
The concentration of elastase in peripheral blood is higher in women who have stenosis on coronary angiography.