To determine whether differences exist in valvular high density lipoprotein (HDL) content between non-stenotic and stenotic aortic valves, and whether HDL could retard valvular calcification locally.
Stenotic aortic valves were obtained from valve replacement surgery and non-stenotic control valves from cardiac transplantations or at autopsy. The valvular localization and concentration of apolipoproteinA-I (apoA-I) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The effects of HDL on the secretion of calcifying mediators and proinflammatory cytokines by cultured aortic valve myofibroblasts were assessed by ELISA and real-time PCR.
The concentration of apoA-I was higher in control than in stenotic valves (p