Interleukin-4, hemopexin, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 are significantly increased in patients with unstable carotid plaque

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the plasma levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), hemopexin (Hpx), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis based on neurological symptoms and plaque histopathology and to find association between plaque stability and neurological symptoms. This single-center study included patients treated surgically for significant stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Serum levels of biomarkers were determined, and a histopathological analysis of the carotid plaques was performed. Within 70 patients, 40 asymptomatic and 30 symptomatic; 38 patients (54.3%) were diagnosed with unstable carotid plaque and 32 patients (45.7%) had a stable carotid plaque. Significantly higher incidence of unstable carotid plaque was detected in symptomatic patients (p <0.001). Compared to asymptomatic patients, higher expression of Lp-PLA2 (285.30 ± 2.05 μg/l), Hpx (0.38 ± 0.01 ng/l), and IL-4 (65.77 ± 3.78 ng/l) in plasma were detected in symptomatic patients. Subsequently, higher expression of Lp-PLA2 (297.34 ± 2.3 μg/l), Hpx (0.41 ± 0.02 ng/l), and IL-4 (64.74 ± 4.47 ng/l) in plasma was observed in patients with unstable plaques (n=38). Statistically significant (p <0.001) differences in expression of Lp-PLA2, Hpx, and IL-4 between patients with unstable and stable plaques were detected. Moreover, only the differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in the expression of Lp-PLA2 and IL-4 in plasma were statistically significant (p <0.001). This study showed that Lp-PLA2, IL-4, and Hpx levels are significantly increased in patients with an unstable carotid plaque.

Serum Proteomic Changes in Dogs with Different Stages of Chronic Heart Failure

“…In the present study, two antioxidant proteins, HPX and PEDF, were down-regulated at stage C. HPX is mainly synthesized in the liver and minimizes tissue injury and facilitates tissue repair in dogs and humans with various inflammatory diseases [ 34 ]. It shows antioxidative effects by protecting cells from the deleterious effects of ROS, free hemoglobin, and heme [ 35 ], as well as supporting vascular nitric oxide hemostasis [ 34 ]. Decreased HPX levels lead to systolic dysfunction due to free heme accumulation in the heart [ 36 ].…”

“…Thus, observed low levels of PON-1 in stage D may indicate decreasing antioxidant capacity, as well as the severity of CHF in dogs. In addition, serum PON-1 is a negative acute-phase protein in dogs and humans with inflammatory diseases [ 35 , 46 , 47 ]. The presence of tissue injury, inflammation, and/or oxidative stress during disease progression could lead to decreased serum PON-1 in dogs [ 39 ].…”

Biomarker Discovery of Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Proteomic Approach

“…Since the level of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) that constitutes part of HDL has been found to be decreased by the action of MMP-8 ( Table S1 in Supplementary Materials ) [ 32 ], HDL levels may be decreased. To mitigate this effect, HPX would suppress the oxidation of HDL, thus enhancing the antiatherogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of HDL [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. The level of HPX was also reported to be increased in patients with unstable plaque; we confirmed the increased levels of HPX in patients with ACS [ 36 ].…”