Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast and processed. Plasma were stored at −80 °C until further analyses. Total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, Lp(a), triglycerides, and transaminases were measures by certified enzymatic techniques. PCSK9 plasma levels were evaluated through a commercial ELISA kit (Human Proprotein Convertase 9/PCSK9, Quantikine® ELISA
SixPak, R&D System, MN, USA, cod. SPC900), according to manufacturer's instructions. The assay sensitivity was 0.219 ng/mL, while intra- and inter-precision assay were 5.4 ± 1,2% and 4.8 ± 1.0%, respectively. PCSK9 sample concentrations were obtained by generating a four parametric logistic curve-fit (
GraphPad Prism v5.0). High-sensitivity CRP was measured by a commercial ELISA kit (hsCRP ELISA, apDia, Belgium, cod. 740011), according to manufacturer's instructions. The minimal detectable concentration is approximately 0.02 μg/mL. Intra-assay variability was 5.1 ± 1.6%, inter-assay variability was 6.1 ± 0.3%. A linear curve-fit (
GraphPad Prism v5.0) was used to obtain hsCRP concentrations. A panel of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines (ProcartaPlex Human Cytokine Panel 1B 25plex, ThermoFisher, MA, USA, cod. EPX250-12166-901) were determined by Luminex-xMAP® technology from plasma samples, according to manufacturers' instructions.
Lupo M.G., Arcidiacono D., Zaramella A., Fimiani F., Calabrò P., Cefalù A.B., Averna M., D'Erasmo L., Arca M., De Martin S., Zambon A, & Ferri N. (2021). Lomitapide does not alter PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients: Analysis on cytokines and lipid profile. Atherosclerosis Plus, 43, 7-9.