Fetuin-A is Associated to Serum Calcium and AHSG T256S Genotype but Not to Coronary Artery Calcification

Vascular calcification has been recently associated to an increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. In few studies, Fetuin-A showed an association to coronary artery calcification (CAC), although the physiopathological mechanism underlying this association has not been fully established yet. Seventy-four patients with one or more cardiovascular risk factor and asymptomatic for coronary vasculopathy were included in the study. CAC was evaluated by Agatston score. Serum Fetuin-A levels were determined by ELISA. Molecular analysis of AHSG T256S gene variant (rs4918) was performed by PCR-RFLP. Serum Fetuin-A was correlated to serum calcium (r = 0,321; P = 0,018), but not to serum phosphorous. Multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed this association and showed that calcium and AHSG genotype were independent predictors of Fetuin-A (P = 0.037, P = 0.014, respectively). In particular, subjects carrying the SS genotype had lower levels of Fetuin-A and calcium (P = 0.037 and P = 0.038, respectively). When we compare subjects with CAC 0-10 with subjects with CAC > 10, we found that only age and male gender (P < 0.001, P = 0.035, respectively), but not Fetuin-A, were associated to CAC. Fetuin-A is not associated to CAC in subjects with low cardiovascular risk profile and asymptomatic for coronary vasculopathy, suggesting that in this setting Fetuin-A, although correlated to serum levels of calcium, could be not involved in mineral deposition on coronary vessels.