title: C-reactive protein but not soluble CD40 ligand and homocysteine is associated to common atherosclerotic risk factors in a cohort of coronary artery disease patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One third to one half of the variation in vascular disease occurrence remains unexplained by traditional risk factors. Since atherosclerosis may, in part, be an inflammatory disease, circulating factors related to inflammation may be predictors of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between common atherosclerotic risk factors and markers of inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of soluble CD40 (sCD40L), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) were measured in 251 patients selected from a series of 438 subjects affected by previous myocardial infarction, angina or other cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  sCD40L levels were lower in patients with previous myocardial infarction while no association was observed between sCD40L and Hcy levels and other risk factors. Only hs-CRP levels positively correlated with increased number of risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a setting of patients affected with coronary artery disease no association between sCD40L and homocysteine levels and atherosclerotic risk factors was observed; only hs-CRP showed increased levels according to the number of risk factors. Future studies using larger cohorts will be needed to validate the clinical use of markers of inflammation in the prediction of cardiovascular events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Emerging Diseases, Via del Vespro 141, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vivona
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bivona
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Noto
authors.forename: Bruna Lo
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Sasso
authors.forename: Angelo B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cefalù
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chiarello
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falletta
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciaccio
authors.forename: Maurizio R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Averna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000502:physiology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D002097:C-Reactive Protein