BACKGROUND: Clinical studies are limited regarding the role of human nociceptin/orphanin
FQ (N/OFQ) in ischemic cardiovascular diseases, which are still the number one cause
of death in the developed world. The aim of our study was to measure the plasma levels
of N/OFQ in patients with chronic ischemic cardiovascular diseases in a pilot study.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Our study population consisted of 22 patients presenting symptoms
of stable angina pectoris (SAP): 12 severe Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) III-IV
functional class, and 10 with milder SAP (CCS II-III). 12 patients were also enrolled
with chronic peripheral artery disease (9 with intermittent claudication; 3 with rest
pain and gangrene). Patients were asked to avoid any exertion or given analgetics
for their rest pain. Patients had no episodes of chest or limb pain in 1week before
their fasting blood samples were taken and N/OFQ plasma levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.
14 healthy subjects without any cardiac risk factors served as a control group. CONCLUSIONS:
N/OFQ levels were significantly lower in patient groups with severe vs. milder chronic
angina (p<0.05) and vs. control subjects (p<0.01). Patients suffering from peripheral
artery disease had also a lower plasma N/OFQ levels than in healthy controls (p<0.01).
Our findings show that chronic ischemic conditions of atherosclerotic origin are associated
with significantly lower plasma N/OFQ levels.
