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: artery calcification; cardiovascular diseases; matrix Gla protein.