Correlations of plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide and Meprin-α with the severity of coronary-artery stenosis

Objective To explore the relationship of the severity of coronary-artery stenosis with plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and Meprin-α. Methods Totally 237 patients in our hospital were divided into control group (CON group), stable angina group (SA group) and acute coronary syndrome group (ACS group), according to coronary artery angiography. Patients with acute coronary syndrome were divided into 3 subgroups: unstable angina (UA) group, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) group and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into 3 subgroups: low-score, medium-score and high-score groups, according to coronary angiography and Syntax score. BNP and Meprin-α levels were determined in patients with coronary artery disease, and the degree of coronary artery stenosis was evaluated. The differences in above indexes were analyzed and compared among the three groups. Results Plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α were higher in ACS group than in CON group 〔(233.16±78.22)ng/L vs. (33.48±13.71)ng/L, (26.89±6.45)nmol/L vs. (12.83±0.66)nmol/L, both P<0.05〕. Compared with UA group, plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α were increased in NSTEMI and STEMI groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α in the Syntax scores-divided subgroups were increased (all P< 0.05). The plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α in CAD patients were significantly increased along with the increase of Syntax Score. Spearman correlation analysis showed that low density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, BNP and Meprin-α levels had positive correlations with the occurrence of coronary heart disease, while high density lipoprotein level was negatively correlated with the occurrence of coronary heart disease (all P<0.05). Conclusions BNP and Meprin-α levels in peripheral blood are significantly elevated in patients with coronary heart disease, and they are correlated with Syntax score. The risk of ACS is increased along with the increased BNP and Meprin-α levels. Key words: Coronary Stenosis; Natriuetic peptid, brain; Peptide hydrolases