Increased leukocyte Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase activity predicts the presence and severity of coronary vasospastic angina.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Although inhibition of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) has been shown to prevent coronary vasospastic angina (CVA), direct evidence linking ROCK activity and CVA is lacking. Accordingly, we investigated whether ROCK activity is an independent marker for CVA and is altered after treatment with antispastic medications.

Methods and results

We prospectively studied 31 Taiwanese patients who were diagnosed with CVA and 33 control subjects. Subject demographics were recorded, and blood samples were obtained at baseline in all participants and in CVA patients after 3 months of antispastic treatment. Compared with control subjects, leukocyte ROCK activity was greater in CVA patients (136% versus 91%, P<0.001). A cutoff value for leukocyte ROCK a

SUBMITTER: Hung MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3312984 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature