title: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in isolated coronary artery ectasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathophysiology of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is still unknown. Inflammation and degradation of connective tissue may have a role in the development of coronary ectasia. In the present study, the authors examined neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in isolated CAE patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients with isolated CAE (25 males; mean age, 59±10 years) and 35 age- and sex-matched healty volunteers (22 males; mean age, 57±11 years) who had been shown to have normal coronary arteries were included in the study. Basal characteristics were recorded. Serum NGAL levels were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NGAL levels were significantly higher in the isolated CAE group than in the control group (65.1±13 vs 53.7±19 ng/mL; P=0.006). There were also significant difference in NGAL levels according to the number of ectatic coronary arteries (58.1±13, 70.9±9, and 71.1±11 ng/mL for 1, 2, and 3 arteries, respectively; P=0.015). Level of NGAL was lowest in patients who have only 1 ectatic coronary artery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum NGAL levels increased in patients with isolated CAE, and NGAL may play a crucial role in the development and/or progression of coronary artery ectasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. akyelahmet@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akyel
authors.forename: Asife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahinarslan
authors.forename: Emrullah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiziltunc
authors.forename: Ummugulsum
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yıldız
authors.forename: Yakup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alsancak
authors.forename: Mehmet Kadri
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Akboga
authors.forename: Cagri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yayla
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Topal
authors.forename: Neslihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bukan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003323:Coronary Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins