Shaghayegh Haghjooy-Javanmard - Associate Professor, Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Masoumeh Sadeghi - Associate Professor, Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Shiva Safavi - Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Maryam Gheraati - Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Nasim Dana - Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is accepted as an inflammatory disease. Evidence suggests that inflammation evoked by injury plays a pathogenic role in all stages of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate whether the high-mobility group box-۱ (HMGB۱) a proinflammatory cytokine/nuclear protein, which is derived from both injured endothelium and activated macrophages/monocytes, could contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: This study was designed as case–control. A total of ۱۳۵ patients who referred to the hospital due to angina pectoris had the diagnosis of unstable angina and were candidates of angiography were recruited in this study. Forty patients who had coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography were considered as case group and control group consists of ۴۰ persons who had no plaque, and ۵۵ persons were excluded according to the exclusion criteria. At first, a questionnaire was filled for each patient including demographic factors and their medical history. Then a blood sample was taken to assess the level of HMGB۱. Data were analyzed using SPSS, Student’s independent t-test, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: The mean plasma level of HMGB۱ in the case group was ۲۷.۱ ± ۲.۹ ng/ml, while it was ۱۹.۶ ± ۱.۹ ng/ml in control groups (P = ۰.۰۳). The odds ratio for coronary artery plaque associated with high (> ۱۵.۰۳ ng/ml) levels of HMGB۱ was ۲.۵۰ (۹۵% confidence interval, ۱.۰۲-۶.۱۷, P = ۰.۰۳). CONCLUSION: Increased plasma HMGB۱ concentration may be associated with an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis.   Keywords: High-Mobility Group Box-۱, Coronary Artery Diseases, Inflammation, Biomarkers