MICRONUTRIENTES E BIOMARCADORES CARDÍACOS EM PACIENTES COM LESÃO CORONARIANA
Cardiovascular disease; extension of coronary lesion; alpha-tocopherol; retinol; mRNA expression; blood leukocytes
The antioxidant vitamin, alpha-tocopherol and retinol, as well as the mRNA expression of possible candidate genes, were associated with the risk of CVD. In a previous study by our research group it was suggested that 13 genes are differentially expressed in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Here we aimed to investigate the serum profile of these vitamins and the expression of candidate genes in blood leukocytes from patients according to the extent of coronary artery lesion. Coronary artery disease patients (n = 177), aged 30-74 years and undergoing elective coronary angiography were selected. The extent of the coronary lesion was assessed using the Friesinger index, which was divided into three categories: 0-4, 5-9 and 10-15. Serum levels of alpha-tocopherol and retinol were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Leukocyte mRNA expression of ALOX15, AREG, BCL2A1, BCL2L1, CA1, COX7B, ECHDC3, IL18R1, IRS2, KCNE1, MMP9, MYL4 and TREML4 were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Alpha-tocopherol level was lower in the 0-4 group compared to the 5-9 group (p=0.035) and showed a positive correlation with BCL2A1 and COX7B mRNA expression and negative correlation with ECHDC3 mRNA expression. ECDHC3 mRNA expression was downregulated, whereas the mRNA expression of AREG, BCL2A1, COX7B, IL18R1, and TREML4 was upregulated in 10-15 group as compared with 0-4 group (p<0.05). The mRNA expression of BCL2A1, BCL2L1, and MYL4 was upregulated in FI 5-9 group as compared with 0-4 group (p<0.05). No association was observed between serum level of retinol and the extent of coronary lesion or mRNA expression of the candidate genes. Higher levels of alpha-tocopherol in patients with more extensive coronary artery lesions may show a change in vitamin E metabolism while positive regulation of mRNA expression of AREG, BCL2A1, COX7B, IL18R1 and TREML4 genes is influenced by the extent of lesions of the most severe coronary arteries. The results of this study suggest a potential use of the mRNA of these genes as biomarkers of gene expression to evaluate the progression of CAD.