Mannose binding lectin as a marker for coronary artery disease in hypertension

Background According to The Framingham Heart Study and the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases hypertension is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (1). Inflammation plays a major role in atherosclerosis. Markers of innate immunity have been shown to predict the development of coronary artery disease. MBL (Mannose binding lectin) being a component of innate immunity can be used as a marker of cardiovascular risk in hypertension. Aim & Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate the risk of coronary artery disease in recently diagnosed hypertensive patients by estimating serum mannose binding lectin levels Materials & Methods: This cross sectional case control study was conducted among 180 subjects who were divided into three groups as follows Group A : 60 recently diagnosed hypertensive patients ( < 6 months duration ) Group B : 60 hypertensive patients who had myocardial infarction recently (< 7 days) Group C : 60 age & sex matched healthy controls Serum levels of MBL was evaluated in the three groups using ELISA technique. Collected data were analysed statistically. Results & Conclusion: The serum MBL levels were significantly elevated in hypertensive patients (mean = 823.45 ng/mL; Range – 772 to 875 ng/mL) and in hypertensive with myocardial infarction (mean = 1163.39 ng/mL; Range – 945 to 1381 ng/mL) as compared with control population (mean = 607.15 ng/mL; Range – 513 to 701 ng/mL) with p value of 0.001. From the ROC curve, it has been determined that MBL has sensitivity of 93% & specificity of 96%) with a positive predictive value of 96% & negative predictive value of 84.65%. Our findings suggested the determination of MBL status may serve as a potential marker for early identification of patients at risk of cardiovascular complications, pending further validation studies.