Matrix Gla-protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is related to risk factors in cardiovascular diseased patients

Objectives Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a calcification inhibitor that plays a role in preventing soft tissue calcification and local mineralization of the vascular wall. The present study aimed to assess the expression of MGP in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) in adult patients with CVD pathologies and its association with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and conventional CVD risk factors. Methods MGP expression was measured in 87 individuals using real time qPCR. Subgrouping was performed according etiologic and metabolic CVD risk factors. Results A clear trend for a decreased MGP expression was observed in all subgroups with high CVD risk. This decrease was significant in abdominally obese hypertensive individuals and in those with dyslipidemia. MGP expression was significantly lower in patients representing high Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. A positive correlation between MGP expression and smoking status in patients with coronary calcium and in the CVD group was established. Atrial hypertension duration correlated negatively with MGP expression in the group without coronary calcium deposits. Conclusions The current study supports the hypothesis that MGP expression in PBMC probably reflects CVD pathology and is related to lipid metabolism dysregulation.