The Relationship between Progression of Coronary Artery Stenosis and Serum Adiponectin, ICAM(Intercellular Adhesion Molecule)-1 Level

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin is an adipocyte derived plasma protein that is known to have an anti-atherogenic effect. Low plasma adiponectin concentrations are found in obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease. The measurement of the plasma adiponectin level is helpful in the assessment of the risk for coronary artery disease. The intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 is associated with the atherosclerotic inflammatory response. An elevated ICAM-1 concentration is associated with increased risk of future coronary events, independent of other risk factors. The relationships between serum adiponectin and ICAM-1 levels and the progression of coronary artery stenosis with instent restenosis of previous stent sites were analyzed.

SUCJECTS AND METHODS: 83 patients who had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion were enrolled. The initial angiographic finding was compared with that at the 6 month follow up. The serum adiponectin and ICAM-1 level were measured with the plasma lipid profiles prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. These biochemical parameters were analyzed according to the progression of coronary artery stenosis (> or =10%) and instent restenosis (> or =50%).

RESULTS: In the coronary artery stenosis progression group, there were significantly lower adiponectin (3.91±1.24 microgram/mL vs. 4.66±1.36 microgram/mL, p=0.03) and higher ICAM-1 levels (199.16±79.13 ng/mL vs. 150.54±63.65 ng/mL, p=0.03). The instent restenosis group also showed lower adiponectin (3.99±1.22 microgram/mL vs. 4.33±1.38 microgram/mL) and higher ICAM-1 (195.17±68.45 ng/mL vs. 171.47±80.48 ng/mL) levels, but without statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: The serum adiponectin and ICAM-1 levels are related to the progression of coronary artery stenosis. However, further study will be required to confirm the relationships between the serum adiponectin and ICAM-1 levels and instent restenosis.