Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fetuin-A serves a dual function; its high levels are associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and on the other hand, it serves as a potent inhibitor of vascular ectopic calcification. Because of the opposing findings, the aim of the current study was to investigate serum fetuin-A levels in military personnel males with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In the case-control study, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were determined in 83 military personnel males (43 CAD patients and 40 control subjects). At last, the serum fetuin-A levels were measured using the fetuin-A human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: A significant differences were detected among the two groups for triglyceride and cholesterol levels (P=0.003 and P=0.002, respectively). The mean fetuin A levels were determined 230.57 +/- 63.76 and 286.35 +/- 64.07 microg/ml for the control group and the CAD patients, respectively (P<0.001). Fetuin A were significantly correlated to the severity of CAD (r 0.393, P<0.001) and associated with the risk of CAD in subjects (OR CI = 1. 144 1.060-1. 235; p = 0.001). A cut-off value of 237.4 microg/ml had good sensitivity (76.7%) and specificity (65.0%) for differentiating between two groups area under curve (AUC) = 0.732 (CI=0.621-0.842); p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that fetuin A levels were positively correlated to the severity of CAD. The findings suggest that there are a possible link between pathogenic mechanisms of atherosclerosis and fetuin A; however, more investigations are needed in this regard.