Role of plasma neuropeptide Y in acute myocardial infarction: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: As neuropeptide Y is associated with endothelial dysfunction, this study explored the relationship between neuropeptide Y and acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We included 128 acute myocardial infarction cases and 62 controls. Using the SYNTAX scoring system, the acute myocardial infarction group was sub-grouped into "SYNTAX ≤ 22," "SYNTAX = 23-32," and "SYNTAX ≥ 33." Plasma neuropeptide Y, endothelin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and thromboxane A2 levels were measured. RESULTS: The acute myocardial infarction group had higher plasma neuropeptide Y, endothelin, and thromboxane A2 levels than controls ([58.76 ± 17.63 vs. 37.48 ± 11.36 ng/ml, P = 0.000], [36.16 ± 10.04 vs. 27.80 ± 7.18 pg/ml, P = 0.000], and [27.69 ± 6.91 vs. 24.32 ± 7.28 pg/ml, P = 0.002], respectively). The acute myocardial infarction group also had lower plasma endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels than controls (3.00 ± 0.94 vs. 4.05 ± 1.44 ng/ml, P = 0.000). Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a neuropeptide Y value of 49.94 ng/ml could help diagnose acute myocardial infarction (sensitivity: 70.9%; specificity: 91.9%). The SYNTAX scores, smoking, plasma endothelin, thromboxane A2, and neuropeptide Y levels were positively correlated, whereas plasma endothelial nitric oxide synthase and neuropeptide Y levels were negatively correlated. Lastly, plasma neuropeptide Y levels were different among subgroups (P < 0.05); patients with higher SYNTAX scores had higher neuropeptide Y levels. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of plasma NPY may be accociated with the AMI process.