Association of serum C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP-3) in patients with coronary artery disease

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related proteins (CTRPs) have diverse biological influences on the cardiovascular system. CTRP 3 is a member of the CTRP superfamily, which may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Here, we investigated whether serum levels of CTRP 3 are associated with the prevalence and the severity of CAD. Methods: In this study, 145 eligible participants were included who underwent coronary angiography. According to the result of the coronary angiography, all participants were divided into two groups: non-CAD group (n = 66) and CAD group (n = 79). The CAD group was further divided into single-vessel (n = 25), double-vessel (n = 30) and triple-vessel (n = 24) disease groups in line with different lesioned vessels of CAD. Plasma CTRP 3 concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum levels of CTRP 3 were significantly higher in CAD patients than in non-CAD patients (CAD: 56.68 +/- 3.63 ng/ml, non-CAD: 44.10 +/- 3.20 ng/ml, p < 0.01). Significant differences of CTRP 3 levels were also found between single-vessel group and triple-vessel group (single-vessel group: 44.80 +/- 3.14 ng/ml, triple-vessel group: 75.07 +/- 9.41 ng/ml, p < 0.005). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that CTRP 3 levels, together with HDL cholesterol and glucose, correlated with CAD. Conclusions: Elevated serum CTRP 3 levels were closely related to the prevalence and severity of CAD, suggesting that it might be regarded as a novel biomarker for CAD.