Myeloperoxidase, a risk indicator for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Diagnostic tests for characterizing an individual's risk of developing or having a cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment the present diagnostic test comprises determining the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in a bodily sample obtained from the individual or test subject. In another embodiment, the diagnostic test comprises determining the level of MPO mass in a bodily sample obtained from the test subject. In another embodiment, the diagnostic test comprises determining the level of one or more select MPO-generated oxidation products in a bodily sample obtained from the test subject. The select MPO-generated oxidation products are dityrosine, nitrotyrosine, methionine sulphoxide or an MPO-generated lipid peroxidation products. Levels of MPO activity, MPO mass, or the select MPO-generated oxidation product in bodily samples from the test subject are then compared to a predetermined value that is derived from measurements of MPO activity, MPO mass, or the select MPO-generated oxidation product in comparable bodily samples obtained from healthy controls. Such comparison characterizes the test subject's risk of developing CVD.

1 . A method for characterizing a test subject's risk of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, comprising:
 determining levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) mass, or both in a bodily sample from the test subject, said bodily sample being serum or plasma,   wherein elevated levels of MPO activity or MPO mass or both in the bodily sample of the test subject as compared to at least one predetermined value based on levels of MPO activity, MPO mass or both, respectively, in comparable bodily samples obtained from control subjects diagnosed as not having the disease indicates that the test subject is at risk of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises adding hydrogen peroxide, a peroxidase substrate, and a buffer to said bodily sample. 
     
     
         3 . A method for characterizing a test subject's risk of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, comprising:
 determining levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) mass, or both in a bodily sample from the test subject, said bodily sample comprising lysed blood leukocytes,   wherein elevated levels of MPO activity or MPO mass or both in the bodily sample of the test subject as compared to at least one predetermined value based on levels of MPO activity, MPO mass or both, respectively, in comparable bodily samples obtained from control subjects diagnosed as not having the disease indicates that the test subject is at risk of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said determining comprises adding hydrogen peroxide, a peroxidase substrate, and a buffer to said bodily sample.