Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Chromogranin A (CgA), a circulating protein released by the neuroendocrine system, can regulate vascular physiology and angiogenesis. Full-length CgA (CgA1-439) and its fragment CgA1-76 (called vasostatin-1, VS-1) preserve the physiological integrity of the endothelial barrier function and are antiangiogenic, whereas CgA1-373 is proangiogenic. We investigated whether these polypeptides are altered in patients with various degrees of carotid artery atherosclerosis. METHODS: We studied 81 patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis, asymptomatic for cerebrovascular diseases. Carotid arteries were examined by Doppler ultrasound and plaque characteristics were recorded. Plasma levels of CgA1-439, VS-1, CgA1-373, and total-CgA (CgA1-439 plus truncated fragments lacking part or the entire C-terminal region) were assessed by specific ELISAs. RESULTS: Plasma levels of VS-1 and total-CgA correlated with carotid artery maximum stenosis (r=0.349, p=0.001 and r=0.256, p=0.021, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that VS-1 was a significant predictor of maximum stenosis after adjustment for age, gender, and conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis (regression coefficient=12.42, SE=4.84, p=0.012). In addition, logistic regression analysis indicated that relatively high levels of full-length CgA, but not total-CgA, predict the presence of hypoechoic, lipid-rich plaques (OR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.19-1.81, p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: VS-1 is independently associated with carotid artery maximum stenosis. Furthermore, full-length CgA is an independent indicator of hypoechoic plaques, likely reflecting initial stages of atherosclerosis. Given the known capability of CgA and VS-1 to regulate vascular function and angiogenesis these polypeptides might play a role in the regulation of atherosclerosis pathophysiology.
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Authors | Tiziana Bachetti, Alberto Ferrari Bardile, Teresa Lucia Aloi, Barbara Colombo, Emma Assi, Giuseppina Savino, Andrea Vercelli, Roberto Colombo, Angelo Corti |
Journal | International journal of cardiology
(Int J Cardiol)
Vol. 236
Pg. 438-443
(Jun 01 2017)
ISSN: 1874-1754 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 28190616
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Biomarkers
- Chromogranin A
- Peptide Fragments
- vasostatin I
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Topics |
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- Carotid Artery Diseases
(blood, diagnostic imaging)
- Carotid Artery, Common
(diagnostic imaging)
- Carotid Stenosis
(blood, diagnostic imaging)
- Chromogranin A
(blood)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Peptide Fragments
(blood)
- Pilot Projects
- Ultrasonography, Doppler
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