Increased plasma levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To assess plasma levels of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, a marker of endothelial dysfunction, in patients presenting with coronary syndromes submitted to coronary angiography.


RESULTS
Plasma levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured by enzymatic immunoabsorbent assay in eight patients with angina-like chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries; in 14 patients with stable angina and in 18 patients with unstable angina, both with coronary lesions by angiography, and in 10 healthy volunteers. Levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 were higher in unstable angina patients (1777+/-161 SE pg ml(-1)) compared to patients with stable angina (1178+/-206 SE pg ml(-1), P<0.05). Moreover, patients with angina-like chest pain and normal coronary arteries had significantly higher soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 levels (2307+/-295 SE pg ml(-1)) compared to stable angina patients (P<0.05), but similar levels compared to unstable angina patients. Patient groups had higher values of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 compared to the control group (734+/-97 SE pg ml(-1)).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 are associated with coronary artery disease in patients with anatomically established lesions. In patients free of flow-limiting lesions and angina-like chest pain, high levels of this marker may indicate endothelial dysfunction.
Clausell
N
N
Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Prado
K F
KF
Ribeiro
J P
JP
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1