Serum sLOX-1 levels are associated with the presence and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Patients with metabolic syndrome are at high-risk for development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Serum soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1(sLOX-1) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and metabolic disorders. We sought to assess whether serum sLOX-1 levels are correlated with the presence and severity of CAD in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) undergoing coronary angiography. Serum sLOX-1 levels were measured in 112 consecutive patients with MetS, undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of CAD. The severity of CAD was assessed by angiographic Gensini score system. Serum sLOX-1 levels were significantly higher in MetS patients with CAD (n=69) than in those without CAD (n=43) (0.925 [range 0.137 to 1.432] ng/ml vs. 0.207 [range 0.063 to 0.774] ng/ml, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum sLOX-1 level was independently associated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio 2.489, 95% confidence interval 1.290-4.802; P < 0.01). Serum sLOX-1 levels were positively correlated with the Gensini score (ρ: 0.394, P < 0.01) after adjusting for other clinical characteristics. High sLOX-1 levels are associated with the presence and severity of CAD in patients with MetS. The measurement of serum sLOX-1may be potentially useful in predicting the presence and severity of CAD in patients with MetS.