Adrenomedullin and endothelin-1 are related to inflammation in chronic heart failure

Background:  Adrenomedullin (ADM) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are novel promising peptide biomarkers in chronic heart failure (CHF). According to recent studies among their pleiotropic effect they play roles in the regulation of inflammation. The aim of the study was to measure the above mentioned two vasoactive peptides in parallel in a well characterized population of patients with CHF, and study their associations with inflammatory markers. Materials and methods:  A total of 186 patients (138 male, 48 female) with <45% left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and without acute inflammatory disease, were enrolled. Plasma midregional-proADM (MR-proADM) and C-terminal-proET-1 (CT-proET-1) were determined by a novel sandwich immunoluminomertic assay. Results:  Increased MR-proADM and CT-proET-1 plasma levels were measured in patients with severe CHF (NYHA III-IV) as compared to the group of NYHA I-II (p<0.0001). MR-proADM and CT-proET-1 levels showed significant negative correlation with serum albumin and prealbumin levels (p≤0.0001), while positive correlations were found with levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, soluble TNF receptors and IL-6 (p≤0.0001). In multiple linear regression models after adjustments for several potential confounders (disease severity [LV-EF, NYHA classes, NT-proBNP], ion and water homeostasis [sodium and presence of peripheral oedema], renal function [serum creatine]) the relationship between ADM and albumin, CRP, soluble TNF receptors and between ET-1 and CRP, TNF receptors and IL-6 remained significant. Conclusions:  Vasoregulation and inflammation may be connected in heart failure patients independently of the disease severity. The observed link may contribute to the understanding of the complex pathomechanism in CHF. Received 14 August 2008; returned for revision 31 October 2008; received from final revision 9 November 2008; accepted by C. Kasserra 18 November 2008