Hemoglobin homeostasis in abdominal aortic aneurysm: diagnostic and prognostic potential of hemoglobin/heme and scavenger molecules

Abstract Background There is increasing evidence implicating hemoglobin/heme and their scavengers in oxidative stress-mediated pathologies, but information is limited in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods and results In this case-control study, we assessed heme/heme-related markers in 142 men with AAA and 279 men with a normal aortic diameter consecutively recruited from an ultrasound screening program in Sweden. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and hemopexin (Hpx) plasma levels, colorimetric assays for cell-free heme and whole blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and real-time PCR to determine haptoglobin (Hp) (pheno)type and genotype, respectively. Hpx and heme plasma levels at baseline were elevated, while HO-1 levels were lower in men with AAA (p