Background: The fatty acid profile is associated with the risk and progression of several diseases, probably via mechanisms including its influence on gene expression. We previously reported a correlation between ECHDC3 upregulation and the severity of acute coronary syndrome. Here, we assessed the relationship of serum fatty acid profile and ECHDC3 expression with the extent of coronary lesion.
Methods: Fifty-nine individuals aged 30 to 74 years and undergoing elective cinecoronariography for the first time were enrolled in the present study. The extent of coronary lesion was assessed by the Friesinger index and patients were classified as without lesion (n = 18), low lesion (n = 17), intermediate lesion (n = 17) and major lesion (n = 7). Serum biochemistry, fatty acid concentration, and ECHDC3 mRNA expression in blood were evaluated.
Results: Elevated serum levels of oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acids were observed in patients with low and intermediate lesion, when compared to patients without lesion (p < 0.05). ECHDC3 mRNA expression was 1.2 fold higher in patients with low lesion than in patients without lesion (p = 0.020), and 1.8 fold lower in patients with major lesion patients than in patients with low lesion (p = 0.023).
Conclusion: Increased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, and ECHDC3 upregulation in patients with coronary artery lesion suggests that these are independent factors associated with the initial progression of cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; ECHDC3; Friesinger index; Monounsaturated fatty acids; Oleic acid.