Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and miRNA-145 Expression in Patients With Different Phenotypes of Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Aim      To evaluate the expression level of miR-145, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and different, obstructive and non-obstructive, phenotypes of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material and methods  This cross-sectional observational study included 107 patients aged 45-75 years with a verified diagnosis of stable IHD. Based on the data of coronary angiography or spiral multislice computed tomography of CA, the patients were divided into two groups, with no obstructive (NOCA, 51 patients) and with obstructive coronary artery (OCA, 56 patients). In the NOCA group, women predominated (62.5%), while among patients with OCA, men predominated (67.9%). Concentrations of VEGF and TNF-α and miRNA-145 expression were measured in patients of both groups.

Results In the NOCA group, the concentrations of VEGF (p=0.004) and TNF-α (p=0.002) and the miRNA-145 expression (p=0.014) were significantly higher. In this group, the miRNA-145 concentration was correlated with the concentrations of VEGF (ρ=0.442; p=0.013) and TNF-α (ρ=–0.386; p=0.032). In the OCA group, correlations were found between the concentrations of TNF-α and VEGF (ρ=0.645; p<0.001), miRNA-145 and VEGF (ρ=0.584; p<0.001), and miRNA-145c and TNF-α (ρ=0.421; p<0.001). According to the univariate logistic regression analysis, significant factors for the CAD type were miRNA-145 expression and female gender. A statistically significant ROC curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic capability of miRNA-145.

Conclusion      According to the study results, the highest level of miRNA-145 expression was found in the NOCA group. The ROC analysis showed that a level of miRNA-145 expression higher than 1.084 REU can be a factor of the NOCA phenotype presence in patients with stable IHD. A lower level of miRNA-145 expression can be associated with more severe atherosclerotic CAD.

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