Reduced thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and enhanced inflammatory markers in ACS.

BACKGROUND: Thrombogenesis and inflammation response are important in the process of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) contributes both to thrombosis formation and inflammation inhibition. Therefore it has the potential ability to be used as a biomarker for ACS diagnosis or risk prediction. This research was designed to investigate the change of TAFI, proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in the early stage of ACS patients, so as to explore the possibility to use TAFI as a biomarker for ACS diagnosis or risk prediction.

METHODS: 211 patients diagnosis with ACS were enrolled in this study, and 211 healthy people were selected as controls. Blood samples were taken within 24 hours after admission. Serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-а levels were determined by ELISA. Serum TAFI, proclcitonin(PCT) and C- reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined by colloidal gold test strip.

RESULTS: Serum TAFI level in ACS patients was significantly lower than in control group. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-а, PCT and CRP levels were remarkably higher in ACS patients than in control group. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between serum TAFI concentration and IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-а, PCT and CRP levels both in ACS patients and in control group.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TAFI has the potential ability to be considered as a biomarker for ACS diagnosis or risk prediction.