Serum levels of C1q/TNF-related protein-1 (CTRP-1) are closely associated with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related proteins (CTRPs) have been proved to have diverse biological influences on cardiovascular system. CTRP 1 is a member of the CTRP superfamily, however, the relevance with coronary artery disease (CAD) are seldom explored. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between serum levels of CTRP 1 and CAD.

METHODS: CTRP 1 levels of 150 CAD patients and 50 non-CAD subjects were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Further analysis of CTRP 1 levels in different stages and lesion vessels of CAD were conducted.

RESULTS: Serum levels of CTRP 1 in CAD patients were significantly elevated, and it was increased with the severity of CAD. CTRP 1 level in acute myocardial infarction group was much higher than that in stable/unstable angina and non-CAD groups. And significant differences of CTRP 1 were also found between single-vessel disease and triple-vessel disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that CTRP 1 was an independent risk factor of the occurrence of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum CTRP 1 levels were closely associated with the prevalence and severity of CAD, it might be regarded as a marker for myocardial infarction.