The Link Between Periostin Serum Levels and Inflammation in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is considered an inflammatory disease, characterized by elevated levels of inflammation biomarkers. Periostin (Pn) is a novel biomarker involved in inflammation and myocardial recovery processes following an ACS. However, the relationship between Pn and inflammatory biomarkers in ACS has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum Pn levels on the inflammatory response following an ACS, to assess the association between Pn and systemic inflammatory biomarkers, and to examine the impact of increased inflammation on the immediate outcomes following an ACS. Methods This study was an observational prospective study that enrolled 92 patients with ACS. Based on the median Pn value (set at 30.63 ng/ml), the study population was divided into two groups: Group 1 included 46 patients with low Pn levels, and Group 2 included 46 patients with high Pn levels. Inflammatory status was assessed. For CRP, values were recorded at baseline and on day 7. Results ST-elevation myocardial infarction occurred more frequently among patients with high Pn levels (p = 0.0004), who also had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 (132.7 ± 112.2 pg/ml vs. 201 ± 69.37 pg/ml; p = 0.003). However, serum CRP levels were significantly lower among patients in Group 2 at baseline (26.61 ± 25.59 mg/dl vs. 9.2 ± 12.87 mg/dl; p = 0.0009) and on day 7 (31.84 ± 29.4 mg/dl vs. 19.25 ± 26.77 mg/dl; p = 0.04). Conclusions Pn levels in patients with ACS are associated with more severe inflammation and worse outcomes.