Serum Salusin-β Levels Are Associated With the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Objectives: We sought to assess whether serum salusin-beta levels are correlated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We measured serum salusin-beta levels in 278 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) for the evaluation of CAD and in 126 healthy controls. Serum salusin-beta levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of CAD was assessed by angiographic coronary atherosclerosis index score system. Results: Serum salusin-beta 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-beta 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-beta 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-beta levels were positively correlated with the coronary atherosclerosis index score (r = 0.316, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Serum salusin-beta levels were associated with the presence and severity of CAD. Salusin-beta in serum might serve as a potential biomarker for reflecting the development and progression of CAD. Therapeutic treatment by inhibiting salusin-beta interaction to prevent CAD warrants further investigation.