Coronary artery disease is associated with particular change of serum metabolome: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Preventive programs are trying to reduce the burden of the disease. Recent advances in metabolomics profiling open a new avenue for developing complementary CVD evaluation strategies.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate whether a metabolomic profile can provide an additional characterisation of individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

The study included 167 participants with CAD aged 41-79 years. A control group was formed of 166 individuals without CAD, gender- and age-matched to the study group. A total of 188 metabolites were profiled in serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. After clearing the data, associations between 132 metabolites and CAD presence were analysed using multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences in serum metabolic profiles between analysed groups on various levels. However, a deeper analysis revealed sphingomyelin 41:1 (SM 41:1) as the main metabolite independently associated with CAD after correction for classical CV risk factors. Its concentration was lower in the CAD group (median 9.79 µmol/L, interquartile range (IQR) 7.92-12.23) compared to control one (median 13.60 µmol/L, IQR 11.30-16.15) (p < 0.001). Further analysis showed that SM 41:1 concentration was inversely correlated with CAD, current smoking, and hypertension; and positively associated with female gender and non-HDL level.

CONCLUSIONS

CAD patients present lower plasma concentrations of SM 41:1 than healthy subjects. A better understanding of the biological function of sphingomyelin in CAD patients may help develop therapeutic approaches and risk stratification in this group.