Influence of single low-density lipoprotein apheresis on the adhesion molecules soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and P-selectin.

The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of single low-density lipoprotein apheresis (heparin extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein precipitation [HELP]procedure) on plasma concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules (sAMs) such as soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and P-selectin in patients with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia and documented coronary artery disease enrolled in a chronic weekly HELP apheresis. Before HELP apheresis, the mean plasma concentration of sVCAM-1 was 515 +/- 119 ng/ml, 204 +/- 58 ng/ml for sICAM-1, and 112 +/- 45 ng/ml for P-selectin. After single HELP apheresis, plasma concentrations of sAM declined significantly by 32 +/- 7%, 18 +/- 15%, and 33 +/- 25% for sVCAM- 1,sICAM-1 and P-selectin, respectively. After a 1 week interval, sAM concentrations rose to approximately the initial values. The concentrations of all sAMs studied were significantly lower in the plasma leaving than entering the filter. Due to filtration, the decline in plasma level of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, and P-selectin was 62 +/- 19%, 51 +/- 39%, and 67 +/- 22%, respectively. In addition to lipid reduction, single HELP apheresis significantly lowers plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, and P-selectin.