Relationship between circulating levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction sometimes occurs. However, the mechanism of the transition from hypertrophy to dysfunction has not been elucidated. It has been reported that circulating levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which is a major factor promoting the accumulation of macrophages, are increased in patients with congestive heart failure. We measured circulating levels of MCP-1 in patients with HCM and examined whether MCP-1 was expressed in the myocardium of HCM patients. We also examined whether circulating levels of MCP-1 were correlated with left ventricular dysfunction. Methods Circulating levels of MCP-1 were measured by an enzyme immunoassay in 26 patients with HCM (60±2 years old) and 20 control subjects (57±2 years old). Cardiac function was evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Results HCM patients had significantly elevated levels of MCP-1 (HCM: 309±30 vs. control: 178±8 pg/ml, P P P r =−.401, P r =−.579, P Conclusion These results show that MCP-1 is associated with, and might be involved in the pathogenesis of, left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with HCM.