Increased plasma levels of endothelin-1 and urotensin-II in patients with coronary heart disease

Research has identified the vasoconstrictors endothelin-1 (ET-1) and urotensin-II (U-II) as having a role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We aimed to observe alterations in plasma levels of both ET-1 and U-II in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent therapy from November 2006 through May 2007. We examined plasma levels of ET-1 and U-II in 40 patients with CHD and 40 age-matched healthy subjects by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Chi-square test, Student's t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analyses. Correlations between variables were tested by simple linear regression analysis. Coronary heart disease patients had significantly higher ET-1 and UII levels than healthy controls (20.05 +/- 4.65 vs 8.16 +/- 3.38 and 71.90 +/- 11.61 vs 20.89 +/- 7.00 pg/ml, respectively, all P < 0.01). Importantly, plasma levels of U-II and ET-1 were correlated in patients with CHD (r = 0.64, P = 0.01). On day 1 after PTCA and stent therapy, plasma levels of ET-1 and U-II were significantly higher, by 99% and 25%, respectively, than those before therapy (all P < 0.01). On day 3 after therapy, ET-1 levels were higher by 25% (P < 0.01) than before therapy, and U-II levels decreased rapidly and were close to baseline levels (P > 0.05). On day 7 after therapy, CHD patients had significantly lower ET-1 and U-II levels than before therapy (all P < 0.01). Since ET-1 and U-II levels may be increased in plasma of patients with CHD, their activation might have clinical significance in terms of early intervention in patients with CHD, especially after PTCA and stent therapy.