Irisin, a New Biomarker in Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Infarction

Measuring biomarkers has become of the most useful methods for diagnosis cardiovascular diseases (CVD), due to the simplicity and accessibility. Irisin, a newly discovered myokine, has been recently introduced as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Recent studies showed that irisin decreases significantly in patients with myocardial infarction. The present study aimed to explore the irisin concentration in men with atherosclerosis or myocardial infarction, compared to control group. This cross-sectional controlled trial study conducted on 75 Iranian men in three groups of myocardial infarction, angiography test-positive and control. Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist and hip circumference) were measured at the first step. Blood collection was done within 48 hours after chest pain initiation in patients with myocardial infarction (for determination of serum troponin, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and irisin concentration); and after a 10-12 hours fasting in angiography-positive and control groups (for determination of serum lipid profile, hsCRP and irisin concentration). Irisin concentration was significantly lower in myocardial infarction and in angiography-positive groups compared to the control group. There was not significant difference in irisin concentration between the myocardial infarction angiography-positive groups. Decreasing of irisin concentration in patient with myocardial infarction might be a protective response. There is a possibility that if irisin would not be decreased, there would be a bigger tissue damaging due to the energy depletion.