Apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and severity of coronary artery disease in tunisian population

BackgroundThe relationship between Apolipoprotein A-I, Apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein and the severity coronary artery disease in Tunisian CAD patients has not been examined. We investigated the association between serum ApoA-I, ApoB, hs-CRP and the severity of coronary artery disease.MethodsThis study was carried out on 180 patients who underwent angiography and 129 healthy controls. ApoA-I and ApoB as well as the serum total cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride, LDL and hs-CRP levels were measured. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was calculated.ResultsWe showed a decreased level of ApoA-I and an increased level of ApoB, ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and hs-CRP in CAD patients compared to the control group (P<.001). In addition, we showed a significant increase of ApoB, ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and hs-CRP in CAD patients presenting 0 to 3 vessels stenosis (P<.001). Multivariate analysis showed that ApoB (P<.001), and hs-CRP (P<.001) were independent predictors of the severity of CAD.ConclusionIn this study, ApoB and hs-CRP levels were markedly associated with the severity of CAD in Tunisian patients. We suggested that synergistic effects between dyslipidemia and inflammation led to increase the risk of the severity of CAD.