The clinical significance of circulating glucose-regulated protein 78, Caspase-3, and C/EBP homologous protein levels in patients with heart failure

The destruction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis leads to heart failure (HF), which further aggravates ER stress. Limited data are available on the levels of ER stress markers in HF patients in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of the ER stress markers, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), Caspase-3, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), in predicting HF and its severity. A total of 62 patients with HF and 44 healthy controls were enrolled in the study, and all participants were followed-up for 2 years. Serum GRP78, Caspase-3, and CHOP levels were significantly higher in patients with HF than those in healthy controls. The level of GRP78 increased with the severity of HF. GRP78 levels were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction, and positively correlated with N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, D-dimer, and lactic acid. Serum GRP78 and Caspase-3 levels showed moderate predictive values for HF patients. ER stress markers, GRP78 and Caspase-3, had a certain predictive value in HF and can be used as serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of HF. Additionally, GRP78 showed a certain predictive value in HF severity. •Serum GRP78, Caspase-3, and CHOP levels were significantly higher in HF patients.•Serum GRP78 and Caspase-3 levels showed moderate predictive values for HF patients.•The level of GRP78 increased with the severity of HF.•GRP78 levels were positively correlated with the indicators representing HF severity.•GRP78 levels could predict the severity of HF.