NUMBER OF COPIES OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA OF LEUKOCYTES AS A MARKER OF PREDISPOSITION TO CORONARY HEART DISEASE AND SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH

Abstract

The review provides information on studies that have studied the relationship between the number of copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in peripheral blood leukocytes with coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major component of the aging process and can play a key role in the development of cardiovascular diseases of atherosclerotic origin, and the number of copies of mtDNA is an indirect biomarker of mitochondrial function. According to a number of studies, measuring the number of copies of mtDNA in peripheral blood leukocytes can improve the risk assessment of CVD to decide on the beginning of primary prevention of CVD. So far, relatively few such studies have been carried out. Nevertheless, the results obtained, according to the authors, allow us to hope that this indicator can be used in assessing the risk of individual CVD. Further studies carried out on large groups in a prospective design should provide the necessary additional information on the feasibility of including this indicator in the appropriate risk meters.

Keywords

• number of copies of mitochondrial dna (mtdna)
• risk factor
• atherosclerosis
• ihd
• myocardial infarction
• sudden cardiac death (scd)
• population