Altered serum concentrations of TGF-β1 and Lp(a) lipoprotein and their correlation in patients with first acute myocardial infarction

Background and Aim: The association between high plasma Lp(a) lipoprotein and coronary heart disease has been confirmed in numerous case/control and prospective studies. A high Lp(a) level has also been shown to be an independent genetic risk factor, while its inverse relationship with TGF-beta(1) has suggested that it may interfere with plasmin-mediated activation of TGF-beta(1) and result in increased endothelial activation, as well as migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate Lp (a) and TGF-beta(1) and their interactions in patients with first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and Results: A total of 107 patients with first AMI and 103 age and sex-matched controls were studied. Very good agreement was found between QEI and RIA determinations of Lp(a) (p<0.0001), Lp(a) levels were significantly elevated in cases (QEI: p<0.031; RIA p<0.002 respectively). Division by gender gave statistically significant differences in females only. Plasma levels of the active form of TCF-beta(1) were decreased in cases, though significantly (p<0.029) in males only. Conclusions: Serum concentrations of Lp(a) and TGF-beta(1) are significantly altered in AMI patients. The differences are gender-dependent: Lp(a) is higher in females, and TGF-beta(1) is lower in males. Increased Lp(a) levels are accompanied by decreased active TGF-beta(1) levels and this inverse correlation is statistically significant (p<0.001).