Circulating uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein in patients with atrial fibrillation or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract

Context

Circulating uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (ucMGP) is possibly related to coronary arterial calcification (CAC) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the relationships between circulating ucMGP, CVD pathology and CAC and its interplay with CVD risk factors.

Materials and methods

ucMGP was measured in 99 CVD-patients. CAC score was determined by multislice computed tomography. Circulating ucMGP, uncarboxylated (ucOC) and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC) were assayed by ELISA kits. Vitamin-K status was evaluated by ucOC/cOC ratio.

Results

A tendency for decreased ucMGP was observed for CAC ≥ 100 AU vs. CAC = 1-99 AU after exclusion of the patients on vitamin K-antagonist anticoagulants. Significant inverse correlations between ucMGP and vitamin-K status were indicated for the entire cohort and according to CAC score. Significant associations were found between ucMGP and risk factors for CVD.

Conclusion

Circulating ucMGP may reflect certain stages of CVD and CAC. Future studies are needed to clarify its role as potential biomarker.

Keywords:

• matrix Gla protein
• cardiovascular diseases
• artery calcification

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fund “Science” at the Medical university of Varna, Bulgaria under Grant Number 98/19.12.19.1.