Serum Salusin-β Levels are Associated with the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess whether serum salusin-β levels are correlated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: We measured serum salusin-β levels in 278 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) for the evaluation of CAD and in 126 healthy controls. Serum salusin-β levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of CAD was assessed by angiographic coronary atherosclerosis index score system. RESULTS: Serum salusin-β levels were significantly higher in patients undergoing CAG (n = 278) than those in healthy controls (n = 126) (3.81 ± 0.99 vs 4.34 ± 1.40 nmol/L, P < 0.01). In patients undergoing CAG, patients with CAD (n = 160) had significantly higher serum salusin-β levels compared to patients without CAD (n = 118) (4.65 ± 1.44 vs 3.94 ± 1.23 nmol/L, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum salusin-β levels were independently associated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio, 1.439; 95% confidence interval, 1.176-1.760; P < 0.01). Serum salusin-β levels were positively correlated with the coronary atherosclerosis index score (r = 0.316, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum salusin-β levels were associated with the presence and severity of CAD. Salusin-β in serum might serve as a potential biomarker for reflecting the development and progression of CAD. Therapeutic treatment by inhibiting salusin-β interaction to prevent CAD warrants further investigation.