PURPOSE: Cathepsin K is a potent collagenase implicated in human and animal atherosclerosis-based vascular remodeling. This study examined the hypothesis that serum CatK is associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, 256 consecutive subjects were enrolled from among patients who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention treatment. A total of 129 age-matched subjects served as controls. RESULTS: The subjects' serum cathepsin K and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The patients with CAD had significantly higher serum cathepsin K levels compared to the controls (130.8+/-25.5 ng/mL vs. 86.9+/-25.5 ng/mL, p<0.001), and the patients with acute coronary syndrome had significantly higher serum cathepsin K levels compared to those with stable angina pectoris (137.1+/-26.9 ng/mL vs. 102.6+/-12.9 ng/mL, p<0.001). A linear regression analysis showed that overall, the cathepsin K levels were inversely correlated with the high-density lipoprotein levels (r=-0.29, p<0.01) and positively with hs-CRP levels (r=0.32, p<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analyses shows that cathepsin K levels were independent predictors of CAD (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.56; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These data indicated that elevated levels of cathepsin K are closely associated with the presence of CAD and that circulating cathepsin K serves a useful biomarker for CAD.
Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; Cathepsin K/*blood ; Coronary Artery Disease/*blood/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: Cathepsin K is a potent collagenase implicated in human and animal atherosclerosis-based vascular remodeling. This study examined the hypothesis that serum CatK is associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, 256 consecutive subjects were enrolled from among patients who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention treatment. A total of 129 age-matched subjects served as controls. RESULTS: The subjects' serum cathepsin K and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The patients with CAD had significantly higher serum cathepsin K levels compared to the controls (130.8+/-25.5 ng/mL vs. 86.9+/-25.5 ng/mL, p<0.001), and the patients with acute coronary syndrome had significantly higher serum cathepsin K levels compared to those with stable angina pectoris (137.1+/-26.9 ng/mL vs. 102.6+/-12.9 ng/mL, p<0.001). A linear regression analysis showed that overall, the cathepsin K levels were inversely correlated with the high-density lipoprotein levels (r=-0.29, p<0.01) and positively with hs-CRP levels (r=0.32, p<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analyses shows that cathepsin K levels were independent predictors of CAD (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.56; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These data indicated that elevated levels of cathepsin K are closely associated with the presence of CAD and that circulating cathepsin K serves a useful biomarker for CAD.
Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; Cathepsin K/*blood ; Coronary Artery Disease/*blood/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Increased formation and activation of osteoclast lead to unwanted bone resorption. Several natural products which have inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation and function are under investigation to prevent and treat the osteoporotic bone disease. Liriopis tuber has been used in Oriental medicine for the suppression of cough, expectoration, thirst, and has been used for sthenia, diuresis, blood glucose regulation, treatment of xerostomia, and constipation. Also, recently it has been reported that Liriopsis tuber has anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombic, anti-adhesive activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Liriopis tuber on osteoclast differentiation and was to evaluate of its mechanism. Water extract of Liriopis tuber significantly inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in a dose dependent manner. However, water extract of Liriopis tuber did not affect cytotoxicity when compared with control. The mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATc1, tartrate resistant-acid phosphatase (TRAP), and cathepsin K induced by RANKL was inhibited by water extract of Liriopis tuber treatment. Also, water extract of Liriopis tuber inhibited the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 expression in BMMs treated with RANKL. Among the signal pathways, water extract of Liriopis tuber suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 induced by RANKL. In summary, Liriopis tuber exerted inhibitory effects on osteoclast diffentiation via suppression of c-Fos and NFATc1 which are essential gene to osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that Liriopis tuber may be a useful candidate in the treatment of osteoporosis without special toxicity.
Biological Agents ; Blood Glucose ; Bone Diseases ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Resorption ; Cathepsin K ; Constipation ; Cough ; Diuresis ; Genes, Essential ; Macrophages ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Phosphorylation ; RANK Ligand ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Tartrates ; Thirst ; Water ; Xerostomia