title: Osteoprotegerin and B-type natriuretic peptide in acute coronary syndromes with preserved systolic function: relation to coronary artery disease extension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze Osteoprotegerin (OPG), and BNP plasma levels in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), in relation to clinical presentation and to coronary atherosclerosis diffusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  155 CAD patients were classified in four groups: stable angina (SA n=42), unstable angina (UA n=35) non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI n=45) and control group (n=33), measuring OPG and BNP at hospital admission. We compared both biomarkers in relation to the number of coronary narrowed vessels (1-,2-,3 or more vessels disease), and to the stenoses degree by Duke Jeopardy score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OPG levels were higher in patients with CAD respect to controls (p<0.0001). Patients with SA showed more elevated levels than controls (2.6+/-1.2 vs 7.4+/-5.0 pmol/l p<0.01). However patients with UA and NSTEMI had higher OPG level with respect to SA patients (12.2+/-7.8 and 11.6+/-6.1 respectively pmol/l p<0.001). A positive relation was found between OPG levels and coronary plaques extension by Duke Jeopardy score (r=0.65). BNP levels were higher in patients with UA/NSTEMI respect to controls and SA patients (p<0.001). Besides, BNP was significantly higher in patients with multi-vessels vs 1-vessel disease (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with UA and NSTEMI show high OPG and BNP levels. OPG increase seems related to the number of plaques in the coronary vessels, suggesting its involvement in the CAD progression.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Palazzuoli
authors: Raimondo
authors: R
authors: Ascione
authors: Maddalena
authors: M
authors: Gallotta
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Calabrò
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Gonnelli
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Quatrini
authors: Maria Stella
authors: MS
authors: Campagna
authors: Beatrice
authors: B
authors: Franci
authors: Ranuccio
authors: R
authors: Nuti
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013599:Systole
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain