MAP-Calcification: MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Coronary Artery Calcification

Summary

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the UK with an estimated 80,000 fatalities in 2010. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with atherosclerotic plaque burden and cardiovascular mortality. Mechanisms underlying isolated CAC have not been as yet been fully explained. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), known to act as regulators of gene expression, have also emerged as powerful biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular disorders and may be used in the detection of CAC. We aim to investigate the potential for a "microRNA-signature" in patients with CAC by performing a prospective, case-controlled study to identify pathways associated with CAC in humans. Previous research has demonstrated an inverse relationship between CAC and bone mineral density (BMD), suggesting that these processes may be linked. In a further substudy we plan to define the relationship between CAC and BMD as well as a number of markers of bone metabolism.

Conditions

• Coronary Artery Calcification
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Osteoporosis
• Osteopenia

Interventions

OTHER

Venous blood sampling

40ml venous blood sampling will be undertaken during participants' attendance for CT coronary angiography (the latter being performed as part of routine clinical investigation).

OTHER

4-day food diary

OTHER

1 week UV dosimeter

To be worn on outerwear for one week week prior to attendance for pQCT

RADIATION

Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography of the radius

To be performed within one month of attendance for CT coronary angiography

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Surrey

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michael Mahmoudi, MBChB PhD · The University of Surrey

• Chris Fry, BSc PhD · The University of Surrey

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

SINGLE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-11-30

Primary Completion

2015-08-31

Completion

2016-08-31

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations