Serum Levels of Complement-C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein-3 Decreased in Patients With Acute Aortic Dissection

Complement-C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is one kind of adipocytokines and has been reported to play key roles in many cardiovascular diseases by regulating inflammation. Inflammation was reported to be involved in the development of acute aortic dissection (AAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of CTRP3 were associated with AAD. The serum was collected from 108 participants, including 60 patients with AAD and 32 patients with hypertension, as well as 16 healthy subjects. Serum levels of CTRP3, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Decreased serum levels of CTRP3 were found in AAD patients compared with hypertension and healthy subjects (35.89 ± 11.26 vs 52.60 ± 13.90 and 51.71 ± 18.64 ng/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in AAD patients than those in hypertension and healthy subjects (IL-6: 31.33 ± 15.18 vs 13.13 ± 8.63 and 9.40 ± 6.27 pg/mL, p < 0.001; TNF-α: 36.87 ± 11.16 vs 29.66 ± 5.12 and 22.93 ± 7.18 pg/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). In AAD, CTRP3 levels showed a negative correlation with IL-6 and TNF-α levels respectively (r = −0.508, p < 0.001; r = −0.393, p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, decreased levels of CTRP3 may be associated with the development of AAD.