title: Role of plaque calcification regulators osteoprotegerin and matrix Gla-proteins in stable angina and acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess serum levels of the plaque calcification regulators osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Matrix Gla-proteins (MGP) in individuals with stable angina and acute myocardial infarction submitted to coronary angiography and their relation to coronary artery disease burden.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 40 individuals affected by ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 40 individuals with stable angina who all underwent coronary angiography, with evaluation of the extent of coronary artery disease by Syntax Score calculation and measurement of serum OPG and MGP levels. Osteoporosis was excluded by femoral and vertebral computerized bone mineralometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum OPG and MGP levels were respectively 3.87 ± 1.07 pmol/l and 6.80 ± 2.43 nmol/l in the stable angina group, 7.57 ± 1.5 pmol/l and 7.18 ± 1.93 nmol/l in the STEMI group (P < 0.01 and P = 0.33, respectively). Pearson correlation coefficient for OPG and Syntax Score, MGP and Syntax score was respectively 0.79 (P < 0.01) and 0.18 (P = 0.22) in the stable angina group, -0.03 (P = 0.43) and 0.10 (P = 0.5) in the STEMI group.Serum OPG and MGP levels were respectively 5.52 ± 1.02 pmol/l and 7.56 ± 1.42 nmol/l in diabetics, 4.3 ± 0.8 pmol/l and 6.52 ± 1.14 nmol/l in nondiabetics (P < 0.05; P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OPG, in a relatively small group of patients with stable angina, correlates proportionally with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), as evaluated by the Syntax Score. Higher serum OPG levels can be observed in individuals with STEMI regardless of CAD burden. As for MGP, a potential role as marker of plaque calcification remains unproven.
authors.affiliation: aCardiology and Coronary Intensive Care Unit bBone Metabolic Unit, Division of Cardiovascular Science, IRCCS S. Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margonato
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gorla
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macchi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buzzetti
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Franzoni
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pedrigi
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sirtori
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubinacci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D060050:Angina, Stable / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density; D002114:Calcinosis; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*; D000097568:Matrix Gla Protein
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D000097568:Matrix Gla Protein; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human