Abstract
Background: Human lipoprotein receptor-related protein -6 (LRP6) plays a role in the development of coronary artery disease. This study aimed to determine the serum level of the LRP6 in patients referred to the coronary angiogram taking into considerations the findings of coronary angiography, evidence of dyslipidemia, obesity and co-existed diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 96 patients who referred to coronary angiogram as an interventional diagnostic test for coronary artery disease. The patients were grouped into Group I (negative angiogram); Group IIA (non-obstructed coronary vessels, positive angiogram) and: Group IIB (obstructed coronary vessels, positive angiogram). The anthropometric measurement, blood pressure, and fasting serum lipid profile and glucose were determined. The serum levels of LRP6 were determined by using the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA).
Results: A non-significant higher serum level of LRP6 observed in patients with a positive angiogram 0.175 ± 0.074 ng/ml (Group IIA) and 0.166 ± 0.063 ng/ml (Group IIB) compared with the negative angiogram (Group I: 0.160 ± 0.019 ng/ml). The area under the curve of LRP6 in patients with positive angiogram was significantly lower than that with a normal angiogram.
Conclusion: We conclude that the serum level of LRP6 is a good discriminator of patients with coronary artery disease as the area under the curve of the serum levels of LRP6 is significantly decreased as the number of occluded coronary vessels increased.