Elevated cell-free serum DNA detected in patients with myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Cell-free DNA is detectable in the circulation. Increased cell-free DNA has been detected in cancer patients and individuals with trauma. We want to know whether patients with myocardial infarction (MI) also have increased cell-free DNA in their blood.


METHODS
We used a QIAamp blood kit for DNA extraction from serum and the PicoGreen DNA kit for quantification. DNA patterns of serum DNA were established by gel electrophoresis on 2.5% metarphor gel.


RESULTS
The average serum DNA in MI patients (N=55) was 511+/-398 ng/ml, more than 10-fold higher than normal (36.3+/-23.8 ng/ml, n=274). Patients with increased CK-MB (>4%) were associated with highly increased concentrations of cell-free DNA (93.4%). There was no correlation between the concentration of cell-free DNA and the concentrations of CK-MB, troponin I and C-reactive protein. In serial specimens, we found that the cell-free DNA rose early, but peaked behind CK-MB. A slightly diffused DNA ladder could be found with pooled cell-free DNA from MI patients by electrophoresis with the smallest DNA band at only a few hundred base pairs.


CONCLUSIONS
Cell-free DNA in MI patients is increased in patients diagnosed with MI, and may complement troponin and CK-MB in a multiple marker test format.
Chang
Christine P-Y
CP
Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chia
Rhu-Hsin
RH
Wu
Tsu-Lan
TL
Tsao
Kuo-Chien
KC
Sun
Chien-Feng
CF
Wu
James T
JT
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D007527:Isoenzymes; D019210:Troponin I; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D004247:DNA; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form