Serum progranulin level in patients with newly diagnosed untreated familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Background and Aims : Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic form of severe hypercholesterolemia, characterized by elevated total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations that, if left untreated, is associated with early onset of atherosclerosis. Progranulin (PGRN) is a recently discovered growth factor with many biological functions. PGRN has anti-inflammatory properties because it inhibits neutrophil degranulation and blocks tumor necrosis factor α transmission, therefore, might be anti-atherogenic.