Serum deoxyribonuclease I can be used as a useful marker for diagnosis of death due to ischemic heart disease

Abstract

We recently reported abrupt elevation of serum deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) activity in the early stage of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum DNase I could be used as a marker for detection of myocardial ischemia that accompanies AMI. In consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or the vasospastic angina pectoris (VSAP) provocation test, together with patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG), serum samples were tested for DNase I activity. Serum DNase I activity was found to rise significantly within 3 h after PCI, and also after the provocation test in the VSAP-positive group. In all of the CAG and VSAP-negative patients, DNase I activity levels remained unchanged. Transient myocardial ischemia resulting from PCI or VSAP induces a significant elevation of serum DNase I activity, indicating that serum DNase I may be applicable as a novel and specific marker for detection of myocardial ischemia. Similarly, it is suggested that serum DNase I could be potentially useful as a biochemical marker for diagnosis of death due to ischemic heart disease.