The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between levels of serum high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cardiac troponin I in patients with coronary artery disease. The levels of serum HMGB1, hs-CRP and cardiac troponin I were measured in 98 patients with coronary artery disease and in 30 healthy subjects. The correlation between serum HMGB1 levels and hs-CRP and cardiac troponin I levels was analyzed. Serum HMGB1 levels in patients with coronary artery disease were higher compared with those in healthy volunteers (63.5 +/- 15.29 vs. 21.98 +/- 4.33 mu g/l; P<0.01). Serum HMGB1 levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction were higher compared with those in patients with unstable and stable angina pectoris (77.53 +/- 6.86 vs. 63.67 +/- 8.6 and 44.39 +/- 9.01 mu g/l, respectively; both P<0.01). The levels of HMGB1 were positively correlated with hs-CRP and cardiac troponin I levels (r=0.657 and 0.554, respectively; both P<0.01) in patients with coronary artery disease. In conclusion, serum HMGB1 levels were elevated in patients with coronary artery disease, particularly in those with acute myocardial infarction. The levels of HMGB1 were correlated with the levels of hs-CRP and cardiac troponin I.