Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein (H-FABP) and Its Role as a Biomarker in Heart Failure: What Do We Know So Far?

Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) remains one of the leading causes of death to date despite extensive research funding. Various studies are conducted every year in an attempt to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapy monitoring. The small cytoplasmic heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has been studied in a variety of disease entities. Here, we provide a review of the available literature on H-FABP and its possible applications in HF. Methods: Literature research using PubMed Central was conducted. To select possible studies for inclusion, the authors screened all available studies by title and, if suitable, by abstract. Relevant manuscripts were read in full text. Results: In total, 23 studies regarding H-FABP in HF were included in this review. Conclusion: While, algorithms already exist in the area of risk stratification for acute pulmonary embolism, there is still no consensus for the routine use of H-FABP in daily clinical practice in HF. At present, the strongest evidence exists for risk evaluation of adverse cardiac events. Other future applications of H-FABP may include early detection of ischemia, worsening of renal failure, and long-term treatment planning.

MG53 Protects against Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction by Upregulating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α

“…The MG53 supplement prevented the changes (all P < 0.05 vs. CLP group), which were reversed by GW6471 ( P < 0.05 in cTnI and P < 0.01 in CK-MB and LDH vs. CLP+rhMG53 group). H-FABP is a striated muscle abundant cytoplasmic protein that is rapidly released from cytoplasm at the very early stages of myocardial injury [ 30 ]. As shown in Figure 4(e) , myocardial H-FABP was downregulated after CLP ( P < 0.01 vs. sham group).…”

“…FABPs are a class of small cytoplasmic proteins that facilitate the transfer of fatty acids (FAs) between extra- and intracellular membranes. H-FABP is abundant in myocardial cells [ 37 ] and is released from cytoplasm at almost the onset of myocardial injury [ 30 ]. Chen and Li [ 38 ] reported that circulating H-FABP levels may serve as biomarkers of organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis.…”

Protein Signature in Saliva of Temporomandibular Disorders Myalgia

“…The levels of fatty-acid binding protein (FABP) were significantly lower in patients compared to controls in this study. This protein family has recently been suggested as a novel marker for the diagnosis of diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as heart diseases, renal failure, Sjögren's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease [49][50][51][52][53]. FABP are intracellular lipid-binding proteins, which exhibit a variety of isoforms depending on the specific organ or cell type.…”

“…Up to date, at least nine different isoforms have been identified. FABP1 has been suggested as a marker of renal failure, FABP3 as a marker of myocardial infarction, and FABP5 has lately been debated as a diagnostic marker for Sjögren's syndrome [49][50][51][52]. FABP5 was also shown to be highly expressed in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia neurons, and FABP inhibitors exert analgesic properties on a peripheral and supraspinal level.…”

Lipid chaperones and associated diseases: a group of chaperonopathies defining a new nosological entity with implications for medical research and practice

“…Since FABPs lack a secretory signal sequence, circulating levels of FABPs have been associated to tissue injury (Hotamisligil and Bernlohr 2015 ). For example, an increase of circulating FABP1 has been correlated with liver damage (Karvellas et al 2017 ), and a serum-FABP3 increase has been considered a marker of heart failure with myocardial injury (Rezar et al 2020 ). FABP4 is released by adipocytes under fasting conditions, and serum FABP4 acts as an adipokine mediating biological effects in different cell types (Cao et al 2006 ).…”