Blood serum apolipoproteins B and A-I in females suffering from rheumatic heart valve disease

Medicina (Kaunas). 2004;40(1):33-7.

Abstract

Objective: With the aim to check whether the atherogenic factors are involved in the mechanisms of valve fibrosis, we have studied the blood serum concentrations of apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and B concentration in patients suffering from rheumatic heart valve fibrosis.

Method: The quantities of apoA-I and apoB in the blood serum were tested by the ELISA method. Concentration of apoA-I and B in the blood serum was determined in rheumatic females with replacement of the damaged valves: after aortic valve operation (n=11; mean age 43.3+/-3.6 years) and after mitral valve operation (n=29; 41.3+/-4.1). The results obtained for rheumatic patients were compared with the data on age-matched healthy females (n=43; 39.5+/-5.2 years).

Results: Significantly lower apoA-I level in the blood serum of all patients suffering from rheumatic heart valve disease was determined as compared with controls: in the pooled group of patients (1.02+/-0.22 vs 1.23+/-0.23 g/l, P<0.001), in women after aortic valve replacement (0.98+/-0.21 vs. 1.23+/-0.23 g/l, P<0.005), and in women after mitral valve surgery (1.03+/-0.23 g/l vs 1.23+/-0.23 g/l, P<0.005). The apoB level in patients suffering from rheumatic heart valve disease did not differ from that of controls. The apoB/apoA-I ratio for patients with valve fibrotic damage was significantly higher as compared to controls in all groups (P<0.02). The increase of apoB/apoA-I ratio in patients with rheumatic valve fibrosis was caused by lower apoA-I levels in blood serum.

Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that decreased apoA-I levels in blood serum can be indicative of valve fibrosis in rheumatic heart valve disease patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aortic Valve* / pathology
  • Aortic Valve* / surgery
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / blood*
  • Apolipoproteins B / blood*
  • Arteriosclerosis / blood
  • Arteriosclerosis / etiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Heart Valve Diseases / blood*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve* / pathology
  • Mitral Valve* / surgery
  • Rheumatic Heart Disease / blood*
  • Rheumatic Heart Disease / surgery
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Apolipoproteins B