title: Plasma concentrations of tumour dimeric pyruvate kinase are increased in patients with chronic cardiac failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to assess the effect of chronic cardiac failure (CCF) on circulating plasma concentrations of tumour metabolic marker dimeric pyruvate kinase type M2 (M2-PK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with clinically stable CCF were studied. Patients with a history of past or ongoing malignancy were excluded. Dimeric M2-PK was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in EDTA plasma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dimeric M2-PK concentration increased significantly (P = 0.005) with increasing clinical severity of CCF as assessed by the New York Heart Association classification grade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic cardiac failure results in an increased circulating plasma concentration of M2-PK, probably related to increased glycolytic flux. The physiological significance of the results is at present unclear but may relate to maintaining a balance between energy production and the supply of glycolytic intermediates to maintain synthetic processes. The results of this investigation will also have significance in the clinical interpretation of M2-PK concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry Department, South Manchester University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK. garry.mcdowell@cmmc.nhs.uk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dellerba
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coppinger
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Keevil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019281:Dimerization; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase