Increase in the risk of ST elevation myocardial infarction is associated with homocysteine level

Investigating the Correlation between Serum Amyloid A and Infarct-Related Artery Patency Prior to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a cardiovascular risk factor and may serve as a predictor of infarct-related artery (IRA) patency in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We measured SAA levels in STEMI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and investigated their association with IRA patency. According to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, 363 STEMI patients undergoing PCI in our hospital were divided into an occlusion group (TIMI 0-2) and a patency group (TIMI 3). The SAA level before PCI was significantly higher in STEMI patients with IRA occluded than in those with patent ones. At a cutoff value of 36.9 mg/L, SAA had a sensitivity of 63.0% and a specificity of 90.6% (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = .833, 95% CI: .793-.873, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SAA was an independent predictor of IRA patency in STEMI patients before PCI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.041, 95% CI: 1.020-1.062, P < .001). SAA can be used as a potential predictor of IRA patency in STEMI patients before PCI.

Relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion: a cross-sectional study from southwest China

BACKGROUND

Chronic total coronary occlusion is among the most complex coronary artery diseases. Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for coronary artery diseases. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion.

METHODS

1295 individuals from Southwest China were enrolled in the study. Chronic total coronary occlusion was defined as complete occlusion of coronary artery for more than three months. Homocysteine was divided into quartiles according to its level. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, receiver operating characteristic curves, and subgroup analysis were applied to assess the relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion.

RESULTS

Subjects in the higher homocysteine quartile had a higher rate of chronic total coronary occlusion (P < 0.001). After adjustment, the odds ratio for chronic total coronary occlusion in the highest quartile of homocysteine compared with the lowest was 1.918 (95% confidence interval 1.237-2.972). Homocysteine ≥ 15.2 μmol/L was considered an independent indicator of chronic total coronary occlusion (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.23; P = 0.0265). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.659 (95% confidence interval, 0.618-0.701; P < 0.001). Stronger associations were observed in elderly and in those with hypertension and diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated homocysteine is significantly associated with chronic total coronary occlusion, particularly in elderly and those with hypertension and diabetes.

Association between homocysteine and coronary artery disease-trend over time and across the regions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association of homocysteine with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been explored previously with mixed findings. The present Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (SRMA) has assessed the pooled estimate of association between homocysteine (Hcy) and CAD, and its variation over the period and geography.

METHODS

Systematic literature search was done in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane to identify the observational studies that have reported mean Hcy among cases (CAD) and control. The SRMA was registered in PROSPERO (ID-CRD42023387675).

RESULTS

Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of Hcy levels between the cases and controls was 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.91) from 59 studies. Heterogeneity was high (I2 94%). The highest SMD was found among the Asian studies (0.85 [95% CI 0.60-1.10]), while the European studies reported the lowest SMD between the cases and controls (0.32 [95% CI 0.18-0.46]). Meta-regression revealed that the strength of association was increasing over the years (Beta = 0.0227, p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher homocysteine levels might have a significant association with coronary artery diseases, but the certainty of evidence was rated low, owing to the observational nature of the studies, high heterogeneity, and publication bias. Within the population groups, Asian and African populations showed a greater strength of association than their European and American counterparts, and it also increased over the years.

Circulating Soluble Lectin-like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 (sLOX-1): A Diagnostic Indicator across the Spectrum of Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Cardiac troponin is the best marker to diagnose acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, early diagnosis using markers for plaque instability may be of significance. Soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis plaque rupture and may be a potential biomarker of coronary artery disease (CAD), including ACS. The current study aims to evaluate sLOX-1 levels in the sera of patients with ACS as an independent marker of CAD with other established diagnostic markers and assess its level before and after percutaneous intervention (PCI) in predicting the risk of future recurrence of ACS.

METHODS

Peripheral blood was obtained from a total of 160 patients, including patients who underwent coronary angiography (n = 18, group I), patients of stable CAD who underwent percutaneous intervention (n = 50, group II), patients of the acute coronary syndrome (n = 64, group III), and healthy controls (n = 28, group IV). A serum sLOX-1 concentration was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The results obtained showed a statistically significant raised level of sLOX-1 in pre/post PCI patients of stable CAD/ACS with male preponderance. The area under the curve for sLOX-1 was 0.925 for cases that are discriminated from controls with sensitivity and specificity of 87.88 and 100%, respectively. SLOX-1 showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in the discrimination of the stable CAD that underwent PCI vs. control with an AUC of 1.00. The recurrence of coronary artery disease was observed in 9 out of 132 (6.8%) cases. The post-interventional sLOX-1 level was significantly different and higher in recurrent cases (p = 0.027) of ACS/CAD.

CONCLUSIONS

sLOX-1 was a useful biomarker of stable CAD/ACS and has a potential in the risk prediction of a future recurrence of coronary artery disease.

Sortilin and Homocysteine as Potential Biomarkers for Coronary Artery Diseases

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of coronary artery disease (CAD) with levels of homocysteine and sortilin in Egyptian patients.

Background

CAD is a primary contributor to cardiac disease and a prominent cause of death globally.

Patients and Methods

We enrolled 45 patients with CAD evaluated by coronary CT angiography and 42 control subjects without CAD. Plasma-homocysteine and -sortilin levels were measured with a commercial ELISA kit.

Results

Elevated levels of homocysteine and sortilin were observed in the CAD patients compared to controls (13.75±1.40 vs 7.73±2.06 μmol/L, P=0 and 160.91±32.17 vs 143.02±32.30 ng/dL, P=0.02, respectively). Significantly higher total cholesterol, low density–lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (P<0.05) and lower high density–lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05) were seen among patients with CAD than the control group. Sortilin levels were positively associated with homocysteine levels (r=0.32, P=0.006), total cholesterol (r=0.61, P=0), low density–lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.37, P=0.001), triglycerides (r=0.91, P=0), troponin I (r=0.82, P=0), Gensini score (r=0.93, P=0) and high-sensitivity CRP (r=0.87, P=0) in all subjects. Homocysteine has a significantly negative association with high density–lipoprotein cholesterol (r=−0.42, P=0).

Conclusion

Elevated homocysteine and sortilin levels are crucial risk factors of CAD in Egyptian patients.

Correlation between plasma homocysteine and first myocardial infarction in young patients: Case-control study in Constanta County, Romania

An elevated level of total plasma homocysteine has been associated with a higher risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The aim of our research was to study the relation between homocysteine and myocardial infarction (MI) in young patients. We conducted a case-control study in Constanţa County, Romania including 61 patients, divided in two groups. The first group, the MI group, consisted of 28 patients, male (67.9%) and female (32.1%) aged less than 45 years who were consecutively admitted to the Intensive Coronary Care Unit of the Emergency County Hospital of Constanţa from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018 (12 months), with an established diagnosis of first acute MI. The second group, the control group, included 33 patients, male (75.8%) and female (24.2%) aged less than 45 years, with cardiovascular risk factors and/or stable angina pectoris that were consecutively addressed for ambulatory cardiac evaluation at the Outpatient Clinic of Emergency County Hospital of Constanţa during the same period. Fasting plasma homocysteine was determined in both groups, within 24 h after MI onset, respectively after first cardiac exam in the controls. High homocysteine was statistically confirmed to be a risk factor in the study group, especially in association with smoking, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and to a lesser extent with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23. The procedures used included descriptive statistics, parametric statistical tests (Independent sample t-test), non-parametric statistical tests [Chi-square test of the association, with the evaluation of odds ratio (OR)]; the significance level used in the analysis (P-value) was 0.05. After adjusting for variables, our study results pointed out a strong association between plasma homocysteine and first acute MI among young patients, emphasising plasma homocysteine as a possible risk factor for myocardial infarction.

Homocysteine concentration and adenosine A2A receptor production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in coronary artery disease patients

Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The mechanistic aspects of this relationship are unclear. In CAD patients, homocysteine (HCy) concentration correlates with plasma level of adenosine that controls the coronary circulation via the activation of adenosine A_2A receptors (A_2AR). We addressed in CAD patients the relationship between HCy and A_2AR production, and in cellulo the effect of HCy on A_2AR function. 46 patients with CAD and 20 control healthy subjects were included. We evaluated A_2AR production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells using Western blotting. We studied in cellulo (CEM human T cells) the effect of HCy on A_2A R production as well as on basal and stimulated cAMP production following A_2A R activation by an agonist‐like monoclonal antibody. HCy concentration was higher in CAD patients vs controls (median, range: 16.6 [7‐45] vs 8 [5‐12] µM, P < 0.001). A_2A R production was lower in patients vs controls (1.1[0.62‐1.6] vs 1.53[0.7‐1.9] arbitrary units, P < 0.001). We observed a negative correlation between HCy concentration and A_2A R production (r = −0.43; P < 0.0001), with decreased A_2A R production above 25 µM HCy. In cellulo, HCy inhibited A_2AR production, as well as basal and stimulated cAMP production. In conclusion, HCy is negatively associated with A_2A R production in CAD patients, as well as with A_2A R and cAMP production in cellulo. The decrease in A_2A R production and function, which is known to hamper coronary blood flow and promote inflammation, may support CAD pathogenesis.

Homocysteine is a bystander for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a case-control study

Background

Homocysteine has been long considered a risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, cardiovascular events cannot be reduced through homocysteine lowering by B vitamin supplements. Although several association studies have reported an elevation of serum homocysteine levels in cardiovascular diseases, the relationship of homocysteine with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not well established.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled STEMI patients who were consecutively admitted to an intensive care unit following coronary intervention in a single medical center in Taiwan. Control subjects were individuals who presented to the outpatient or emergency department with acute chest pain but subsequently revealed patent coronary arteries by coronary arteriography. The association between serum homocysteine levels and STEMI was investigated. A culture system using human coronary artery endothelial cells was also established to examine the toxic effects of homocysteine at the cellular level.

Results

Patients with chest pain were divided into two groups. The STEMI group included 56 patients who underwent a primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The control group included 17 subjects with patent coronary arteries. There was no difference in serum homocysteine levels (8.4 ± 2.2 vs. 7.6 ± 1.9 μmol/L, p = 0.142). When stratifying STEMI patients by the Killip classification into higher (Killip III-IV) and lower (Killip I-II) grades, CRP (3.3 ± 4.1 vs. 1.4 ± 2.3 mg/L, p = 0.032), peak creatine kinase (3796 ± 2163 vs. 2305 ± 1822 IU/L, p = 0.023), and SYNTAX scores (20.4 ± 11.1 vs. 14.8 ± 7.6, p = 0.033) were significantly higher in the higher grades, while serum homocysteine levels were similar. Homocysteine was not correlated with WBCs, CRP, or the SYNTAX score in STEMI patients. In a culture system, homocysteine at even a supraphysiological level of 100 μmol/L did not reduce the cell viability of human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Conclusions

Homocysteine was not elevated in STEMI patients regardless of Killip severity, suggesting that homocysteine is a bystander instead of a causative factor of STEMI. Our study therefore supports the current notion that homocysteine-lowering strategies are not essential in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Dynamic Monitoring of Erythrocyte Distribution Width (RDW) and Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) in Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND This study investigated the role of erythrocyte distribution width (RDW) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in evaluating the treatment efficacy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 120 AMI patients receiving conventional myocardial infarction treatment were included. The patients were divided into an effective group and an ineffective group based on treatment efficacy. The RDW and PDW were measured before and after treatment. We used the independent samples t test, chi-square test, logistic regression, and ROC curves for analysis. RESULTS The change and change rate of RDW and PDW were significantly improved (p<0.01) and the positive change rate of RDW, PDW, and RDW + PDW were significantly lower in the effective group compared with those in the ineffective group (p<0.01). The change and change rate of RDW and PDW are independent factors for treatment efficacy evaluation (p<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the changes and change rate of RDW and PDW were all significant in evaluating treatment efficacy (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The change and change rate of RDW and PDW or their combination can be used to evaluate treatment efficacy; however, the absolute value of RDW and PDW are not as significant.

The communal relation ofMTHFR,MTR,ACEgene polymorphisms and hyperhomocysteinemia as conceivable risk of coronary artery disease

Homocysteine and its modulating genes have strongly emerged as novel biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD). In the present study, we investigated whether polymorphisms in homocysteine pathway genes and the plasma levels of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12, independently or in combination, are associated with CAD risk. A total of 504 participants were recruited (cases, n = 254; controls, n = 250, respectively). Tetra primer allele refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for resolving the genotypes of 5′10′ methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ‘MTHFR’ polymorphisms (rs1801133, rs1801131), 5′ methyl tetrahydrofolate homocysteine methyltransferase ‘MTR’ polymorphism (rs1805087), paroxanse1 ‘PON1’ polymorphism (rs662), and cystathionine beta synthase ‘CBS’ polymorphism (rs5742905). Conventional PCR amplification was carried out for resolving angiotensin converting enzyme ‘ACE’ insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs4646994). ANOVA analysis, adjusted for the covariates, revealed that rs1801133, rs1805087 polymorphisms and homocysteine levels were associated with CAD. Logistic regression analysis (adjusted) revealed similar findings. Logistic regression analysis after applying factorial design to the studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed that homocysteine levels and heterozygous and mutant alleles at rs1801133, rs1805087, along with mutant alleles at rs1801131, rs4646994, conferred higher risk for CAD. Our results provide insight into the multifactorial nature of coronary artery disease. We highlight that SNPs in folate pathway genes and homocysteine have role in disease causation and can be used in disease prediction strategies.

Serum high concentrations of homocysteine and low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 are significantly correlated with the categories of coronary artery diseases

Background

Homocysteine (Hcy) has been considered as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ are two vital regulators in Hcy metabolic process. We evaluated the correlations between serum Hcy, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ with the categories of CAD.

Methods

Serum Hcy, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ from 292 CAD patients, including 73 acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 116 unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 103 stable angina pectoris (SAP), and 100 controls with chest pain patients were measured, and the data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Results

Compared to SAP patients, patients with AMI and UAP had higher Hcy levels with approximately average elevated (4-5) μmol/L, while SAP patients were approximately higher 8 μmol/L than controls. However, the levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ had opposite results, which in AMI group was the lowest, while in controls was the highest. CAD categories were positively correlated with Hcy (r = 0.286, p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with folic acid (r = -0.297, p < 0.001) and vitamin B₁₂ (r = -0.208, p < 0.001). There were significant trend toward increase in the prevalence of high Hcy, low folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ from controls, to SAP, to UAP, and to AMI.

Conclusions

The present study provide the valuable evidence that high concentrations of Hcy and low levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ are significantly correlated with CAD categories.

Impact of Homocysteine Level on Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients after Coronary Artery Stenting

Aim: The prognostic value of homocysteine (HCY) in patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD) is still controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate whether elevated HCY level at admission predict long-term outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with coronary artery stenting.

Methods: From the institutional registry of Cardiovascular Atherosclerosis and Percutaneous TrAnsluminal INterventions (CAPTAIN), we enrolled a total of 1,307 patients with documented CAD undergone PCI with bare metal stents from July 2003 to December 2014. They were divided into two groups according to the fasting plasma HCY levels before catheterization: group I (883 patients, < 12 µmol/L) and group II (424 patients, ≥ 12 µmol/L). The primary endpoint was occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, target lesion revascularization, new lesion stenting, and requiring bypass surgery.

Results: After a mean follow-up period of 58 ± 41 months, the group II patients had a higher MACE rate (33.3% vs. 25.6%, p = 0.005). The main differences between two groups were cardiac death (8.0% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.001) and new lesion stenting (13.6% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.034). The risks of long-term MACE remained significantly higher in patients with elevated HCY level (≥ 12 µmol/L) after adjusting for clinical variables, with a hazard ratio of 1.29 (95% CI, 1.02–1.64, p = 0.036).

Conclusions: Elevated HCY level (≥ 12 µmol/L) was independently associated with increased risk of long-term cardiovascular events in patients after coronary artery bare metal stents implantations. Thus, hyperhomocysteinemia may remain a useful prognostic marker for the risk assessment in clinical care of CAD patients.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent predictor of long-term clinical outcomes in Chinese octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic value of homocysteine (Hcy) in Chinese acute coronary syndrome (ACS) octogenarians.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 660 consecutive ACS octogenarians who underwent coronary angiography. We classified the patients into three groups according to Hcy tertiles. Kaplan–Meier method was performed for survival and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to identify mortality predictors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to predict the cutoff value of Hcy for all-cause mortality.

Results

The follow-up period was 28 (inter-quartile range: 16–38) months. Diastolic blood pressure, ratios of male, renal failure and old myocardial infarction in high plasma level Hcy (H-Hcy) group were higher than those in low (L-Hcy) and middle (M-Hcy) plasma level of Hcy groups (P<0.05). The Hcy level was positively correlated with uric acid level (r=0.211, P=0.001) and Cystatin C (Cys C) level (r=0.212, P=0.001) and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.148, P=0.018). For the long-term outcomes, the cumulative survival rate of H-Hcy group was significantly lower than that of L-Hcy and M-Hcy groups (P=0.006). All-cause mortality and MACE of H-Hcy group were higher than those of L-Hcy and M-Hcy group (P=0.0001, P=0.0008). Hcy is an independent predictor for long-term all-cause mortality (odds ratio =2.26, 95% CI=1.23–4.16, P=0.023) and MACE (odds ratio =1.91, 95% CI=1.03–3.51, P=0.039). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the predictive cutoff value of Hcy for all-cause mortality was 17.67 μmol/L (0.667, 0.681).

Conclusion

In ACS octogenarians, hyperhomocysteinemia is an important predictor for long-term all-cause mortality and MACE.