Abstract
Relevance. Integrin beta‑3 is a critical molecule in several processes involved in the progression of atherosclerosis and coronary artery (CA) stenosis. Aim of the study is to identify the relationship between the serum level of integrin beta‑3 and the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. Materials and methods. We examined 100 patients with chronic coronary artery disease who were referred for diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) to verify the diagnosis of stable angina. All patients underwent instrumental and laboratory research methods, including determination of the levels of lipid fractions of blood serum using an enzymatic colorimetric method, as well as the level of beta‑3 integrin in blood serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA 12.0 package. Results and Discussion. According to the results of CAG, 32 patients did not have hemodynamically significant coronary lesions (coronary stenosis < 50 %) (group 0), 32 patients had single-vessel coronary lesions (stenosis > 50 %) (group 1) and 36 patients had multi-vessel coronary lesions (group 2). Patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease were characterized by higher functional class of stable angina and degree of arterial hypertension, more often suffered a myocardial infarction and had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to patients without coronary lesions (p < 0.05). Patients in the group 0 had a lower level of integrin beta‑3 compared to patients of group 1 (p = 0.006) and group 2 (p = 0.002). Integrin beta‑3 level ≥92 pg/ml can be used to predict the development of stenotic coronary atherosclerosis (RR = 2.84; 95 % CI 1.54–5.22, p = 0.008). Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the important role of integrin beta‑3 in the pathogenesis of obstructive atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries.