Role of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated apolipoprotein in the assessment and diagnosis of coronary heart disease

ObjectiveTo study the value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated apolipoprotein(NGAL)in assessing the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, and its diagnostic value in coronary heart disease.

MethodsOne hundred and thirty-five patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)diagnosed by coronary angiography and 30 patients without coronary heart disease diagnosed by coronary angiography were divided into the coronary heart disease group(CHD group), and control group(CON group).The CHD patients were subdivided into the stable angina pectoris group(SAP group), unstable angina pectoris group(UA group)and acute myocardial infarction group(AMI group).The clinical data, general biochemical indicators and serum high sensitive C-reactive protein hs-CRP level were compared among all groups.The correlations among NGAL, hs-CRP and Gensini score in all cases were analyzed.The value of serum NGAL in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease was analyzed by receiver operating(ROC)characteristic curve.

ResultsThe serum levels of hs-CRP in SAP group, UA group and AMI group were higher than that in CON group(P < 0.05), and the differences of hs-CRP level among SAP group, UA group and AMI group were statistically significant(P < 0.05).The serum levels of NGAL and hs-CRP increased gradually with the increasing of Gensini score(P < 0.01).The differences of serum levels of NGAL and hs-CRP were statistically significant among the Gensini score < 30 group, 30-60 group and >60 group(P < 0.05~P < 0.01).The serum level of NGAL was positively correlated with Gensini score and hs-CRP level(r=0.733, 0.908, P < 0.05), and the serum level of hs-CRP was positively correlated with Gensini score(r=0.708, P < 0.05).The concentration of NGAL in CHD group was higher than that in CON group(P < 0.05).When the cut-off value was 59.02 ng/mL, the area under ROC curve of serum NGAL in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease was 0.875, the 95%CI was 0.820-0.929, the sensitivity was 74.8%, and the specificity was 96.0%.

ConclusionsThe serum NGAL is correlated with the hs-CRP level and severity of coronary atherosclerosis, and can be used as an auxiliary index in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease.