文摘
Proteomics is a technology to detect and identify several proteins and their isoforms in a single sample.We used proteomics to analyze modifications in the protein map of plasma after simvastatin treatmentof moderate hypercholesterolemic patients. Plasma from hypercholesterolemic patients (n = 9) wascompared before and after 12 weeks of simvastatin treatment (40 mg/day). Patients with similarcardiovascular risk factors were used as controls (CR group). By using two-dimensional electrophoresisand mass spectrometry, we identified the different protein isoforms. The plasma expression of threefibrinogen gamma chain isoforms (FGG) was enhanced, whereas the expression of two isoforms ofthe fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) was reduced in the hypercholesterolemic patients compared with theCR group. The expression of apolipoprotein A-IV and three haptoglobin isoforms was higher inhypercholesterolemic patients. Simvastatin treatment modified the plasma expression of FGG chainisoform 1, FGB chain isoforms 1 and 2, vitamin D binding protein isoform 3, apo A-IV, and haptoglobinisoform 2. The modification of FGG chain isoform 1 and FGB chain isoforms 1 and 2 was positivelycorrelated with total plasma cholesterol level. Proteomic analysis of plasma may help to know more indepth the molecular mechanism modified by simvastatin treatment.