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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Evaluating dp-ucMGP, tMGP, and Fetuin-A as Markers of Combined Arterial Atherosclerotic Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Teodora Bianca Tirla-Sirca1
  • Mariana Eugenia Mureșan1,2
  • Luciana Dobjanschi1,2
  • Tamás Ilyés3
  • Rodica Anamaria Negrean2
  • Laura Grațiela Vicaș1,4
  • Corina Cinezan5
  • Elisabeta Cristina Crăciun (Rusu)1
  • Camelia Mraz6
  • Alexandra M. Crăciun7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, No. 1 University Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania
  2. 2Department of Preclinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 10 Piata 1 Decembrie Street, 410073 Oradea, Romania
  3. 3Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu”, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  4. 4Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 29 Jiga Street, 410028 Oradea, Romania
  5. 5Department of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania
  6. 6Laboratory Medicine, Bihor Public Health Directorate, Strada Libertății 34, 410040 Oradea, Romania
  7. 7Medical Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Abstract

Vascular calcification and atherosclerotic arterial disease are complex processes involving multiple inhibitory and pro-calcific mechanisms. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an important inhibitor of vascular calcification, and its inactive dephosphorylated–uncarboxylated form (dp-ucMGP) has been proposed as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of circulating dp-ucMGP, total MGP (tMGP), and Fetuin-A concentrations as markers for calcification associated with the presence of fibrocalcific plaques and/or arterial stenosis. A total of 160 patients were included in this observational study. Patients were classified according to the presence of fibrocalcific plaques and/or arterial stenosis. The study group included 136 patients, whereas 24 patients without fibrocalcific plaques or stenosis served as the control group. dp-ucMGP concentrations were significantly higher in the study group [1.29 vs. 1.07, p = 0.047]. In contrast, no significant differences were observed for tMGP [15.79 vs. 12.67, p = 0.532] or Fetuin-A [388.50 vs. 403.05, p = 0.894]. Glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.001), together with significant differences in fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, LDL cholesterol, and uric acid. Spearman correlation analysis showed weak positive correlations between dp-ucMGP and urea (ρ = 0.175, p = 0.034), creatinine (ρ = 0.183, p = 0.026), and triglycerides (ρ = 0.197, p = 0.017). Higher circulating dp-ucMGP concentrations were associated with the presence of fibrocalcific plaques and/or arterial stenosis, whereas tMGP and Fetuin-A did not differ significantly between groups. These findings support the potential relevance of dp-ucMGP as a biomarker associated with fibrocalcific and stenotic arterial disease. Further studies are required to determine its independent predictive value and clinical utility.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{tirlasirca2026evaluating,
  title = {{Evaluating dp-ucMGP, tMGP, and Fetuin-A as Markers of Combined Arterial Atherosclerotic Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study}},
  author = {Teodora Bianca Tirla-Sirca and Mariana Eugenia Mureșan and Luciana Dobjanschi and Tamás Ilyés and Rodica Anamaria Negrean and Laura Grațiela Vicaș and Corina Cinezan and Elisabeta Cristina Crăciun (Rusu) and Camelia Mraz and Alexandra M. Crăciun},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/ijms27209391},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9391},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Evaluating dp-ucMGP, tMGP, and Fetuin-A as Markers of Combined Arterial Atherosclerotic Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
AU  - Teodora Bianca Tirla-Sirca
AU  - Mariana Eugenia Mureșan
AU  - Luciana Dobjanschi
AU  - Tamás Ilyés
AU  - Rodica Anamaria Negrean
AU  - Laura Grațiela Vicaș
AU  - Corina Cinezan
AU  - Elisabeta Cristina Crăciun (Rusu)
AU  - Camelia Mraz
AU  - Alexandra M. Crăciun
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/ijms27209391
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9391
AB  - Vascular calcification and atherosclerotic arterial disease are complex processes involving multiple inhibitory and pro-calcific mechanisms. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an important inhibitor of vascular calcification, and its inactive dephosphorylated–uncarboxylated form (dp-ucMGP) has been proposed as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of circulating dp-ucMGP, total MGP (tMGP), and Fetuin-A concentrations as markers for calcification associated with the presence of fibrocalcific plaques and/or arterial stenosis. A total of 160 patients were included in this observational study. Patients were classified according to the presence of fibrocalcific plaques and/or arterial stenosis. The study group included 136 patients, whereas 24 patients without fibrocalcific plaques or stenosis served as the control group. dp-ucMGP concentrations were significantly higher in the study group [1.29 vs. 1.07, p = 0.047]. In contrast, no significant differences were observed for tMGP [15.79 vs. 12.67, p = 0.532] or Fetuin-A [388.50 vs. 403.05, p = 0.894]. Glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.001), together with significant differences in fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, LDL cholesterol, and uric acid. Spearman correlation analysis showed weak positive correlations between dp-ucMGP and urea (ρ = 0.175, p = 0.034), creatinine (ρ = 0.183, p = 0.026), and triglycerides (ρ = 0.197, p = 0.017). Higher circulating dp-ucMGP concentrations were associated with the presence of fibrocalcific plaques and/or arterial stenosis, whereas tMGP and Fetuin-A did not differ significantly between groups. These findings support the potential relevance of dp-ucMGP as a biomarker associated with fibrocalcific and stenotic arterial disease. Further studies are required to determine its independent predictive value and clinical utility.
SN  - 1422-0067
ER  -