Objective: Inflammation is one of the numerous factors that promote atherosclerosis. Cystatin-C (Cys-C) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) predominantly play roles in inflammation. Thus, we evaluated whether these markers were related to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods: Eighty-two stable patients who had undergone coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Patients were diagnosed with significant (>50% stenosis) and nonsignificant (<50% stenosis) CAD. Patients with diabetes, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and so on were excluded from the study.
Results: Patients without CAD had higher Cys-C levels compared with those with CAD (1338.96±396.71 vs. 853.69±406.72 ng/ml, P<0.001). However, the PTX-3 level was inversely lower in patients without CAD (110.40±48.10 vs. 149.46±49.44 pg/ml, P=0.001). The Cys-C level was found to be 677.11±335.56, 1024.18±401.21, and 1338.96±396.71 ng/ml in patients with significant CAD and nonsignificant CAD, and healthy individuals, respectively (P<0.001). The PTX-3 level was inversely reduced in these groups: 168.43±49.09, 131.14±43.10, and 110.40±48.10 pg/ml, respectively (P<0.001).
Conclusion: We observed that the levels of Cys-C and PTX-3 were inversely varied in the same study groups. These parameters may aid detection of the presence or identification of the severity of CAD when used in combination. Determinative values could exactly be described in the large study groups.