Association between mRNA 133b and Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia and Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Background Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an abnormal coronary dilatation that exceeds 1.5x the size of the adjacent coronary normal segments, considered a manifestation of atherosclerosis. However, information regarding its etiology and pathophysiology is scarce. MicroRNAs are small circulating proteins that regulate diverse biological processes and may be involved in tissue development, homeostasis, and cellular communication. We aimed to explore a signature of microRNAs in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and CAE. Methods a prospective case & control study including consecutive patients with ACS (STEMI and NSTEMI) with and without CAE. Plasma samples were obtained, and consequently, quantification of plasma levels of miR-208, miR-208b, miR-1, miR-133b, miR-21, miR-155, miR-126, and miR-16 was performed by qRT-PCR. For analytical purposes, patients were divided into two groups: patients with ACS and CAE and patients with ACS and obstructive CAD. We included 47 patients, 24 with CAE and 23 with obstructive coronary disease. Results Patients with CAE showed a higher incidence of obesity (50 vs 21.7%, p = 0.04) and a higher left ventricular ejection fraction (52 vs 41%, p = 0.01). The rest of the baseline clinical characteristics were well-balanced. Among the selected signatures of microRNAs, patients with ACS and CAE showed higher levels of miR-133b than those without CAE. All other analyzed miRNAs were similar among groups. Conclusions In patients with ACS and CAE, we found higher miR-133b. Future studies are required to expand the findings of this research work and propose using miR-133b. Trial Registration Protocol received approval by the institutional ethics and research committee with the number 21-1248.