Sha Li1, Yuan-Lin Guo1, Rui-Xia Xu1, Yan Zhang1, Cheng-Gang Zhu1, Jing Sun1, Ping Qing1, Na-Qiong Wu1, Li-Xin Jiang1, Jian-Jun Li2. 1. Division of Dyslipidemia, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, BeiLiShi Road 167, Beijing 100037, China. 2. Division of Dyslipidemia, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, BeiLiShi Road 167, Beijing 100037, China. Electronic address: 13901010368@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is associated with atherosclerosis and plays a potential role in inflammation. However, the correlation between PCSK9 and white blood cell count (WBCC) has not yet been assessed. The objective of the present study was to examine the association of the WBCC and its subset counts with plasma PCSK9 levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 251 consecutive, stable CAD patients who were not treated with lipid-lowering drugs were enrolled at our center between October 2012 and October 2013. The baseline clinical characteristics were collected, and the plasma PCSK9 levels were determined using ELISA. The associations of plasma PCSK9 levels with the WBCC and its subsets were investigated. RESULTS: In the overall population, plasma PCSK9 levels were positively associated with the WBCC (r = 0.167, p = 0.008). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly and independently associated with the WBCC (β = 0.217, p < 0.001) and its subsets (neutrophil β = 0.152, p < 0.05; lymphocyte β = 0.241, p < 0.001). However, the relationships between PCSK9 and WBCC and its subsets remained significant in men (WBCC r = 0.234, p = 0.001; neutrophil r = 0.181, p = 0.014; lymphocyte r = 0.226, p = 0.002) but were not significant in women when the analysis was performed based on gender. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the plasma PCSK9 levels are independently associated with the WBCC and its subsets, suggesting a potential interaction between PCSK9 and chronic inflammation in patients with CAD.
OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is associated with atherosclerosis and plays a potential role in inflammation. However, the correlation between PCSK9 and white blood cell count (WBCC) has not yet been assessed. The objective of the present study was to examine the association of the WBCC and its subset counts with plasma PCSK9 levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 251 consecutive, stable CAD patients who were not treated with lipid-lowering drugs were enrolled at our center between October 2012 and October 2013. The baseline clinical characteristics were collected, and the plasma PCSK9 levels were determined using ELISA. The associations of plasma PCSK9 levels with the WBCC and its subsets were investigated. RESULTS: In the overall population, plasma PCSK9 levels were positively associated with the WBCC (r = 0.167, p = 0.008). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly and independently associated with the WBCC (β = 0.217, p < 0.001) and its subsets (neutrophil β = 0.152, p < 0.05; lymphocyte β = 0.241, p < 0.001). However, the relationships between PCSK9 and WBCC and its subsets remained significant in men (WBCC r = 0.234, p = 0.001; neutrophil r = 0.181, p = 0.014; lymphocyte r = 0.226, p = 0.002) but were not significant in women when the analysis was performed based on gender. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the plasma PCSK9 levels are independently associated with the WBCC and its subsets, suggesting a potential interaction between PCSK9 and chronic inflammation in patients with CAD.
Authors: José Tuñón; Lina Badimón; Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat; Bertrand Cariou; Mat J Daemen; Jesus Egido; Paul C Evans; Imo E Hoefer; Daniel F J Ketelhuth; Esther Lutgens; Christian M Matter; Claudia Monaco; Sabine Steffens; Erik Stroes; Cécile Vindis; Christian Weber; Magnus Bäck Journal: Cardiovasc Res Date: 2019-01-01 Impact factor: 10.787