Soluble P-selectin is a marker of plaque destabilization in unstable angina.

Unstable coronary syndromes usually involve platelet activation and thrombus formation at the site of atherosclerotic plaque. P-selectin in platelets and endothelial cells mediates adhesive interaction with leucocytes to form thrombi. The aim of this study was to asses the level of soluble P-selectin (CD62P) as a non invasive marker of coronary plaque destabilization in unstable angina (U.A.). Serum samples were collected from 23 male patients with UA, 20 male patients with stable angina (SA) and 13 healthy controls. Soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) level was measured by ELISA technique. The mean sP-selectin level was significantly higher in patients with UA (87.6+/-30.10 ng/ml) than SA (36.2 +/-13.8 ng/ml) and control subjects (16.7+/-8.6 ng/ml). In conclusion, s-Pslectin level could be used as a marker of plaque destabilization in unstable angina.