Publication: Increased alpha-defensin expression is associated with risk of coronary heart disease: a feasible predictive inflammatory biomarker of coronary heart disease in hyperlipidemia patients
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2016
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eng
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Lipids in Health and Disease. Vol.15, (2016), 117
Suggested Citation
Yaowapa Maneerat, Kriengchai Prasongsukarn, Surachet Benjathummarak, Wilanee Dechkhajorn, Urai Chaisri Increased alpha-defensin expression is associated with risk of coronary heart disease: a feasible predictive inflammatory biomarker of coronary heart disease in hyperlipidemia patients. Lipids in Health and Disease. Vol.15, (2016), 117. doi:10.1186/s12944-016-0285-5 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/3161
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Title
Increased alpha-defensin expression is associated with risk of coronary heart disease: a feasible predictive inflammatory biomarker of coronary heart disease in hyperlipidemia patients
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Abstract
Background: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disorder of the heart vessels that develops over decades, coupling
inflammatory mechanisms and elevated total cholesterol levels under the influence of genetic and environmental
factors. Without effective intervention, atherosclerosis consequently causes coronary heart disease (CHD), which
leads to increased risk of sudden death.
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils play a pivotal role in inflammation and atherogenesis. Human neutrophil peptides
(HNPs) or alpha (α)-defensins are cysteine-rich cation polypeptides that are produced and released from activated
polymorphonuclear neutrophil granules during septic inflammation and acute coronary vascular disorders. HNPs
cause endothelial cell dysfunction during early atherogenesis. In this cross-sectional study, control, hyperlipidemia
and CHD groups were representative as atherosclerosis development and CHD complications. We aimed to assess
the correlation between α-defensin expression and the development of CHD, and whether it was a useful
predictive indicator for CHD risk.
Methods: First, DNA microarray analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Thai
control, hyperlipidemia and CHD male patients (n = 7). Gene expression profiling revealed eight up-regulated genes
common between hyperlipidemia and CHD patients, but not controls. We sought to verify and compare α-defensin
expression among the groups using: 1) real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine α-defensin mRNA
expression (n = 10), and 2) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine plasma HNP 1–3 levels (n = 17).
Statistically significant differences and correlations between groups were determined by the Mann–Whitney U test
or the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Rho-Spearman correlation, respectively.
Results: We found that α-defensin mRNA expression increased (mean 2-fold change) in the hyperlipidemia
(p = 0.043) and CHD patients (p = 0.05) compared with the controls. CHD development moderately correlated
with α-defensin mRNA expression (r = 0.429, p = 0.023) and with plasma HNP 1–3 levels (r = 0.486, p = 0.000).
Conclusions: Increased α-defensin expression is a potential inflammatory marker that may predict the risk of CHD
development in Thai hyperlipidemia patients.