Serum Retinol-Binding Protein-4 Level is a High Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese

Recent evidence suggests that retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum RBP4 level is a high risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese.Two hundered ten consecutive patients hospitalized at the Department of Cardiology between September 2012 and September 2014 were enrolled, including 148 males and 62 females, with an average age 63.89 ± 13.05 years. The patients were divided into the carotid artery plaque-free group (130 cases) and carotid atherosclerosis plaque group (80 cases), or into the no CHD group (160 cases) and CHD group (50 cases). Data of cardiovascular risk factors were collected from each patient and analyzed. Serum RBP4 level was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The age, serum RBP4 level, smoking, and hypertension were independently associated with carotid artery plaque formation, while serum RBP4 level, hypertension, diabetes, and carotid artery plaque formation were independently associated with CHD.Elevated serum RBP4 level is one of the important risk factors for both carotid artery plaque formation and CHD in Chinese. Early detection and control of serum RBP level may help in the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of CHD.