Extent of coronary atherosclerosis and homocysteine affect endothelial markers

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the presence, extent, a nd clinical stability of coronary artery disease on endothelial function pa rameters, C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels. Fifty-eight patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease and 25 patients wi th normal coronary arteries were evaluated for risk factors, plasma homocys teine, C-reactive protein, and soluble adhesion molecule levels. Vascular c ell adhesion molecule-1 and sE-selectin were significantly higher in the gr oup with coronary artery disease than in healthy subjects (p = 0.005 and p = 0.031, respectively). Patients with unstable angina had significantly hig her C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), troponin I (p < 0.01), and leukocyte co unts (p < 0.05) than those with stable angina. sE-selectin levels were corr elated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis (r = 0.444, p < 0.05), a nd plasma homocysteine levels were associated with vascular cell adhesion m olecule-1 (r = 0.479, p < 0.05) in unstable cases. These results suggest th at vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and sE-selectin are useful for determi ning the presence of coronary atherosclerosis, whereas C-reactive protein, troponin I, and leukocyte count are predictors of clinical stability.