Retinol binding protein 4 levels relate to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: The previous studies have showed that serum retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels increase in metabolic disorders which are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the human studies investigating the role of RBP4 in CVD are conflicted. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between RBP4 with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in this study. METHODS: 55 patients with presenting acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 43 control subjects who had various cardiovascular risk factors with normal coronary artery on coronary angiography were included in this study. The serum RBP4 concentrations were measured using ELISA method, clinically and anatomically score models were used to assess the severity of coronary lesion. RESULTS: Serum RBP4 levels were significantly higher in patients with ACS compared to the without ACS (68.40 ± 47.94 mg/L vs. 49.46 ± 13.64 mg/L; p = 0.014). RBP4 was correlated with GENSINI and SYNTAX I score (r = 0.286 p = 0.034; r = 0.403 p = 0.002 respectively). However, there was no relationship between RBP4 and GRACE score. CONCLUSIONS: The serum RBP4 levels increase in patients with CAD and its increased levels may be correlated with CAD severity.