TNF-α和IL-6检测在急性冠脉综合征发病中的意义

目的　探讨急性冠脉综合征患者血清TNF -α和IL -6的浓度与发病的关系。方法　选择急性冠脉综合征 (急性心肌梗死及不稳定心绞痛 )患者 3 6例 ,其中急性心肌梗死 7例 ,不稳定心绞痛患者 2 9例。根据不稳定心绞痛患者病情的严重程度将其按Braunwald分级分为三组 :Ⅰ级 9例 ;Ⅱ级 8例 ;Ⅲ级 12例。采用放免法测定急性冠脉综合征患者血清TNF -α和IL -6的浓度。结果　不稳定心绞痛患者由Ⅰ级组到Ⅲ级组随病情加重IL -6的浓度是逐渐升高的(P <0 .0 5 ) ,但血清TNF -α无明显升高 ;急性心肌梗死患者血清IL -6浓度在心梗发作后 6小时和 48小时有两个高峰 ,血清TNF -α在心梗发作后 2 4小时达到高峰 ;IL -6和TNF -α与反映心肌损伤的酶CK -MB无直线相关性。结论　不稳定的心绞痛患者随着病情加重体内IL -6水平逐步升高 ;AMI患者发病过程中伴随IL -6和TNF -α的升高 ,但IL -6和TNF -α的动态曲线不同 ;IL -6和TNF -α浓度的升高与AMI的心肌损伤严重程度无关     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清炎性细胞因子水平及临床意义

目的通过对急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清炎性细胞因子水平的测定及比较,分析炎症及细胞因子在急性冠状动脉综合征发生发展过程中的作用及临床意义。方法选择急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者44例(AMI组),不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)患者44例(UAP组),稳定性心绞痛(SAP)患者43例(SAP组),无冠心病患者35例(对照组),分别检测各组患者血清白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)、白细胞介素10(IL-10)、TNF-α、C反应蛋白(CRP)和基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)浓度并进行比较。结果 AMI组患者血清IL-6、IL-8、IL-10、TNF-α、CRP和MMP-9水平均明显高于SAP组和对照组(P<0.01);AMI组患者血清IL-10、TNF-α、CRP、MMP-9水平明显高于UAP组(P<0.05);UAP组患者血清IL-6、IL-8、IL-10水平明显高于SAP组和对照组;MMP-9和CRP与IL-6呈正相关(r=0.308,r=0.384,P<0.01)。结论冠心痛与炎性反应密切相关,多种细胞因子参与了动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成和进程,血清炎性细胞因子水平的升高是冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块不稳定的标志。     

Elevated plasma levels of interleukin-2 and soluble IL-2 receptor in ischemic heart disease

BACKGROUND: T-lymphocytes are present in significant numbers in the atherosclerotic plaque, but their role in the progression and pathogenesis of coronary syndromes remains poorly understood. HYPOTHESIS: We sought to determine the relationship between T-lymphocyte activation and ischemic heart disease by measuring plasma levels of cytokines related to T-lymphocyte function in patients with stable and unstable angina. METHODS: Plasma levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured in 105 patients: 66 with stable angina, 24 with unstable angina, and 15 healthy controls. Patients who presented to the cardiac catheterization laboratory with unstable or stable anginal syndromes for coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Mean levels of IL-2 were significantly higher in patients with stable angina than in those with unstable angina. The differences between stable angina and control groups, or between unstable angina and control groups, were not statistically significant. Mean levels of slL-2R were significantly higher in patients with stable angina than in either patients with unstable angina or control patients. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of IL-2 and sIL-2 receptor are significantly elevated in patients with stable angina, but not in patients with unstable angina. The contribution of T-lymphocytes to the development of both stable and unstable angina requires further investigation.     

Cytokine profiles and T cell function in acute coronary syndromes

AIMS: In advanced human atherosclerotic plaques infiltrating T cells congregate at sites of plaque rupture. However, little is known about the systemic activation of circulating T cells in acute coronary syndromes as a prerequisite for recruitment to atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: As a measure for specific lymphocyte activation we analyzed IFN-gamma production of T cells after stimulation with a superantigen and expression of CXCR-3 and CCR-3 in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina (uAP) or stable angina (sAP). Furthermore, concentrations of the circulating cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-12 p70 and RANTES that modify T cell function were measured. In uAP an increased Th1 and a decreased Th2 response was identified by enhanced interferon-gamma generation of T lymphocytes, increased levels of IL-1beta, IL-12 p70 and RANTES and decreased expression of CCR3. In AMI a systemic inflammatory reaction predominates with enhanced expression of the early activation marker CD69 on T lymphocytes and elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-10 that suppress Th1 activation. CONCLUSION: Interferon-gamma production of activated T cells in acute coronary syndromes may, therefore, be governed by the release of specific pro- and anti-lymphocyte activating cytokines.     

Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-2 and interleukin-10 activation in stable angina and acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND: Dynamic instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaque results in the development of both unstable angina and myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-2 in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina (UA) as compared to stable angina (SA) patients and healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 189 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied: 100 patients with SA (class II/III according to CCS), 57 patients with UA (Braunwald class IIIB; determinations at 6, 24, and 48 h after chest pain), and 32 patients with MI (determinations at admission, on the 7th and 30th days after MI). Twenty healthy volunteers acted as controls. RESULTS: Serum TNFalpha levels were elevated in all CAD groups (SA: 17.3+/-4; UA: 18.7+/-4; MI: 22.0+/-3 pg/ml; p<0.001) in comparison to the controls (8.3+/-1.4 pg/ml). However, the highest values were characteristic of MI patients, especially values obtained at admission (p<0.01 versus SA and UA). Mean serum concentrations of IL-2 were significantly higher in patients with MI and UA (89.6+/-40; 87.0+/-24 pg/ml, respectively; p<0.01) when compared to SA and the control group (58.3+/-49; and 51.5+/-39, respectively). Serum IL-10 levels were also higher in MI and UA patients. Levels of IL-2 and IL-10 measured following chest pain in unstable patients, as well as their consecutive determinations in MI patients did not show any change dynamics, that is, they were persistently elevated. CONCLUSIONS: When compared to stable CAD and healthy subjects, acute coronary syndromes are associated with long-term increase of serum concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. It seems likely that sudden CAD progression leading to acute coronary syndromes is triggered/accompanied by prolonged immune activation.     

Early release of neutrophil markers of activation after direct stenting in patients with unstable angina

OBJECTIVE: To assess polymorphonuclear neutrophils activation after stenting in acute coronary syndromes studied by myeloperoxydase, lactoferrin and elastase release in this clinical setting. METHODS: Myeloperoxydase, lactoferrin, elastase, C-reactive protein and cytokines serum levels were assessed in 20 patients undergoing catheterization for unstable angina. Serial sampling starting before arteriography and continued up to 24 h was carried out in 15 patients undergoing direct stenting (group A) and in five patients assessed by coronary angiography only (group B). RESULTS: Myeloperoxydase, lactoferrin and elastase levels remained unchanged following catheterization, whereas a significant increase in myeloperoxydase (P = 0.0009) and lactoferrin (P = 0.004) was observed after stenting. No change in levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-11 was found in group B after catheterization at the different sampling times, although IL-8 and IL-11 levels increased transiently following stenting. IL-6 values increased in both groups. Baseline values of C-reactive protein were similar in each group. A progressive increase in C-reactive protein was noted in both groups and appeared to be larger following stenting (group A: P = 0.0002; group B: P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with unstable angina, stenting is associated by immediate neutrophil activation followed by release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-11) and C-reactive protein elevation. This study points out a potential role of myeloperoxydase as a trigger for inflammatory reaction in patients with unstable coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.     

Serum profiles of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitor in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The effects of short-term atorvastatin administration

There is increasing evidence that abnormal cytokine expression and increased metalloproteinase activity are implicated in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes. This study investigates the serum profiles of representative metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -9) and their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina (UA) in relation to circulating proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha and IL-6) activity. Furthermore, we examined the effects of a 30-day treatment with atorvastatin on serum levels of these inflammatory factors. Serum concentrations of MMP-1, -2, -9, TIMP-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method) in 23 acute myocardial infarction patients and 20 unstable angina patients on 0 day, 1st, 3rd, 7th and 30th day after admission. Sixteen normal volunteers were used as healthy controls. Additionally, 12 patients of myocardial infarction group and 11 patients of unstable angina group were treated with atorvastatin (20 mg/day) for 30 days in a randomized design. In patients with myocardial infarction and unstable angina, serum levels of MMP-2, -9, TIMP-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher than those of healthy controls in all time frames (p<0.05). In the group of unstable angina patients, we observed a statistically significant reduction in the levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and IL-6 after the 30-day atorvastatin administration. Our results suggest that serum MMPs, TIMP-1 and proinflammatory cytokines play an important role in the pathophysiology of the acute coronary syndromes. The reduction of these factors by short-term atorvastatin administration may provide a new insight into the pleiotropic effects of statins on unstable coronary artery disease.     

急性冠脉综合征患者血清IL-7的表达水平及其对预后的影响

目的：探讨急性冠脉综合征（ACS）患者血清白细胞介素（IL）-7表达水平并分析其与预后的关系.方法：选择ACS患者130例（急性心肌梗死70例,不稳定型心绞痛60例）、稳定型心绞痛患者33例（SAP组）、健康体检者89例（健康对照组）,使用ELISA法检测各组IL-7水平并进行比较,并跟踪随访130例ACS患者的病情,通过Logistic回归分析判断IL-7水平与预后的关系.结果：与健康对照组和SAP组比较,UAP组和AMI组IL-7水平均显著升高[（1.84±0.47） pg/ml、（2.11±0.63） pg/ml比（4.87±0.52） pg/ml、（5.15±0.71） pg/ml,P＜0.05或P＜0.01],健康对照组与SAP组,UAP组与AMI组之间IL-7水平无显著差异（P均＞0.05）;Logistic回归分析显示,ACS患者血清中IL-7的水平是发生不良心血管事件的独立危险因素（OR=1.212,95％CI：1.061～1.418）.结论：白细胞介素-7作为机体重要的炎症因子之一,其水平在急性冠脉综合征患者的异常升高,可能具有判断疾病预后的重要价值.     

Role of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines and their correlation with established risk factors in South Indians with coronary artery disease

Cytokines are responsible for the modulation of immunological and inflammatory processes and play a significant role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. We estimated the levels of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines in South Indian patients with coronary artery disease. The study population comprised of groups 1-3: 100 patients each with acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and stable angina, respectively, and group 4 (100 healthy controls). Cytokine levels (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were significantly higher in patients from groups 1 and 2, than in group 3 and controls. Acute myocardial infarction patients exhibited higher serum levels of interleukin-10 compared with other groups and control subjects. Patients with unstable angina had significantly lower interleukin-10 concentrations than those with stable angina. The ratios of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines in all the study groups increased significantly when patients with unstable angina were compared to other groups. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels showed significant correlation with established risk factors such as body mass index, blood pressure, and lipid levels. Acute myocardial infarction patients show elevation in proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, while unstable angina is associated with low levels of serum interleukin-10. Higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 may be needed to provide protection in unstable angina. These cytokines are markers of coronary artery disease and may be used for the identification of high-risk patients with unstable angina/acute myocardial infarction.     

氟伐他汀对冠心病患者白介素-6、白介素-10和基质金属蛋白酶-1水平的影响

目的探讨氟伐他汀对冠心病患者白细胞介互素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）和基质金属蛋白酶-1（MMP-1）水平的影响。方法冠心病患者51例：急性心肌梗死（AMI）13例、不稳定型心绞痛（UAP）18例、稳定型心绞痛（SAP）20例；健康对照者20名。所有试验对象当天采集空腹静脉血5ml。冠心病患者随机分为2组：氟伐他汀40mg治疗组（26例）和80mg治疗组（25例），30d时再次采血5ml，测定IL-6、IL-10和MMP-1浓度。结果治疗前AMI、UAP组IL-6和MMP-1显著升高（P〈0．01）；两组治疗后IL-6和MMP-1均有明显下降（P〈0．01），但80mg组下降更甚（P〈0．01）。血清IL-6水平与血清MMP-1水平呈显著正相关（r=0．847，P〈0．01）。IL-10在治疗前、后均无明显变化。结论IL-6、MMP-1在ACS患者中血清水平明显升高，可能与炎症反应、斑块不稳定相关，从而促进了冠心病患者发展为临床上的ACS；IL-10在冠心病患者血清水平中无明显变化；IL-6、MMP-1和IL-10与冠脉病变支数无关；氟伐他汀可能通过抑制IL-6、MMP-1的水平而发挥抗炎作用，其效用与药物浓度相关。     

Circulating Levels of IL-1β, a Prothrombotic Cytokine,are Elevated in Unstable Angina Versus Stable Angina

Background: Multiple studies support a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis and unstable cardiac syndromes. However, of the known proinflammatory cytokines, only elevated plasma levels of interleukin-6 have been linked to unstable angina. We sought to examine the plasma levels of other major proinflammatory cytokines in similar clinical settings and to determine the extent of the relationship between inflammation and unstable coronary syndromes by measuring the levels of various proinflammatory cytokines in patients with stable and unstable angina.Methods: We measured plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in 97 patients: 67 with stable angina, 24 with unstable angina, and 15 healthy controls.Results: Mean levels of IL-1 were significantly higher in patients with unstable angina as compared to patients with stable angina (p = .009). Levels of IL-6 were significantly higher than control patients for both stable angina and unstable angina patients (p = .031 and .006, respectively). No significant differences were found in the levels of TNF-.Conclusions: Our results suggest that both IL-1 and IL-6 contribute to the pathogenesis of unstable angina, and that the profile of circulating plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines differs in unstable angina from that in stable angina.Abbreviated Abstract. Multiple studies support a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis and unstable cardiac syndromes. We measured plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients with stable and unstable coronary syndromes. Levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were found to be elevated in patients with unstable coronary syndromes. No significant differences were found in the levels of TNF-. Our results suggest that both IL-1 and IL-6 contribute to the pathogenesis of unstable angina.     

白细胞介素-18与急性冠状动脉综合征的相关性研究

目的 探讨不同类型冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)患者中白细胞介素(IL)-18水平与疾病严重程度以及冠状动脉粥样硬化狭窄程度是否相关.方法 冠心病患者包括急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)和稳定型心绞痛(SAP)共86例;酶联免疫吸附法检测IL-18水平;对不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)患者进行Braunwald分级,对急性心肌梗死患者进行Killip分级,冠状动脉粥样硬化病变程度按Gensini评分,用SPSS软件包进行统计学分析.结果 ACS患者血清IL-18水平与疾病严重程度存在良好相关性.ACS组IL-18水平高于SAP组(P＜0.01),且与Gensini法评分呈线性正相关(r=0.357,P=0.005).结论 ACS患者IL-18浓度与疾病的严重程度有一定的相关性,与冠状动脉粥样硬化狭窄病变程度呈正相关.     

急性冠状动脉综合征与血脂谱骤变的关系

目的研究急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)与血脂谱演变之间的关系。方法对143例ACS患者、68例稳定型心绞痛患者和30名健康人分别测试7项血脂谱指标[总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白A1(APOA1),载脂蛋白B(APOB)和LP(a)脂蛋白;对ACS之中51例急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者分别测试发作前1周内,发作后1、3、7、14d7项血脂谱指标,血浆心肌酶谱(CK-MB),C反应蛋白(CRP),白介素-6(IL-6)和KILIIP心功能分级;对各组血脂谱的演变及其与CK-MB、CRP、IL-6及KILIIP分级的关系对比和相关分析。结果AMI组比非AMI组、AMI后1～14d4组比AMI前组总胆固醇、LDL-C、HDL-C和APOA1显著降低,LP(a)显著增加(均P<0.01);不稳定型心绞痛组比正常组HDL-C显著降低,总胆固醇、LDL-C、LP(a)显著增加;HDL-C与AMI后1dCK-MB、CRP、IL-6成负相关,LP(a)与AMI后1d3项指标成正相关(均P<0.05);胆固醇与IL-6成负相关(P<0.05),随KILIIP分级增加而显著降低。结论AMI后1～14d存在血脂谱的动态演变,HDL-C、LP(a)骤变与AMI触发,胆固醇骤降与AMI泵衰有关。     

Cytokines in acute coronary syndromes

The aim of this study was to show the presence of an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators in patients affected by acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We evaluated the production in cultured and stimulated lymphomonocytes of interferon (IFN)gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, which are well known to possess pro-inflammatory effects, and of interleukin (IL)10, which has been shown to have a protective anti-inflammatory activity, in two groups of 30 patients affected by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina (UA), compared with two equivalent groups of patients with stable angina (SA) and of healthy volunteers. We found a significant increase of IFNgamma and TNFalpha production (p<0.01) and a significant decrease of IL-10 production (p<0.01) in cultures of lymphomonocytes taken from patients with AMI and UA compared with SA patients and controls. No significant changes were found between AMI and UA patients and SA patients and controls. We conclude that a relevant imbalance in cytokine release is present in ACS, markedly favoring pro-inflammatory effects.     

蛋白芯片法联检急性冠状动脉综合征患者血中细胞因子的意义

目的 探讨急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者血中炎性细胞因子、炎性细胞相关因子及心肌损伤因子浓度的变化及临床意义.方法 运用蛋白芯片技术同步联检经冠状动脉造影及临床表现证实为ACS患者104例及对照者50例血清或血浆中10种细胞因子水平;同时对不稳定性心绞痛(UA)患者按Braunwald分级进行分析.结果 急性心肌梗死(AMI)组和UA组血清中C反应蛋白(CRP)、白介素(IL)-6、可溶性CD40L(sCD40L)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-9、心脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)、肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)及血浆中的IL-8、内皮素(ET)-1、可溶性血管细胞黏附分子(sVCAM)-1、氨基酸N末端脑钠肽原(NT-proBNP)浓度高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);AMI组cTnⅠ[(11.08±10.49) μg/L]和H-FABP[(19.80±4.60)μg/L]浓度高于UA组[cTnⅠ:(0.69±0.18)μg/L,H-FABP:(4.12±2.45)μg/L,P＜0.01],而CRP、IL-6、MMP-9、sCD40L及ET-1浓度,两组比较差异无统计学意义;UA组MMP-9、sCD40L及H-FABP的浓度与Braunwald分级存在显著正相关(分别r=0.653,r=0.745,r=0.933,均P＜0.01).随着心绞痛严重程度的增加,MMP-9、sCD40L及H-FABP水平明显升高,心绞痛Ⅰ级＜心绞痛Ⅱ级＜心绞痛Ⅲ级(P＜0.01).结论 ACS患者血中存在多种细胞因子浓度异常,其中MMP-9、sCD40L、H-FASP的浓度与UA患者心绞痛严重程度存在良好的相关性.提示上述细胞因子参与和促使了ACS的发生、发展,为ACS的危险分层、预后判断提供了可能的分子标志物依据.     

急性心肌梗死患者PCI后白介素-6与10的变化及其意义

目的：探讨血白细胞介素-6（IL-6）及IL-10浓度在急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者急诊介入治疗后的变化及其意义。方法：选择60例行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PCI）治疗患者（AMI组）和30例冠状动脉造影正常者（正常对照组）,采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测PCI术后第1d及第7d患者的血清IL-6及IL-10的含量,并与正常对照组进行比较分析。结果：与正常对照组相比,AMI组PCI术后患者的血清IL-6[（110.34±26.01）pg/ml比（156.97±68.58）pg/ml]、IL-10[（18.21±4.0）ng/ml比（19.94±10.01）ng/ml]水平及IL-6/IL-10比值[（6.73±2.04）比（10.99±8.24）]明显升高（P〈0.05）,且IL-6与IL-10呈正相关（r=0.44,P〈0.05）;结论：急性心肌梗死后血清白细胞介素-6、白细胞介素-10水平升高,可能参与急性心肌梗死的发生和发展。     

The selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the patients with coronary heart disease: preliminary communication

Recent findings suggest that inflammation and cytokines regulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to assess serum concentrations of selected pro- (TNF alpha) and antiinflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in patients with coronary heart disease. We studied 29 patients with coronary heart disease: 14 with stable angina (group I) and 15 with unstable angina (group II). The control group (group K) consisted of 10 healthy subjects. Patients with inflammatory diseases, previous myocardial infarction (last 6 months) and with ECG abnormalities, that would invalidate ST-segment analysis, were excluded from examined groups. We evaluated: clinical state of patients and results of some diagnostic examinations (lipids, ECG, echocardiography, coronary angiography, concomitant diseases). In each patients serum levels of TNF alpha and IL-10 were measured according to the special protocol by ELISA. The mean serum concentrations of TNF alpha and IL-10 were significantly higher in group I (respectively: 18.75 +/- 11.7 pg/ml, 89.0 +/- 114.9 pg/ml) and II (14.21 +/- 5.9 pg/ml, 49.38 +/- 72.9 pg/ml) in comparison to the healthy subjects (9.41 +/- 1.7 pg/ml, 9.69 +/- 4.5 pg/ml). We found positive correlations between mean TNF alpha and IL-10 concentrations in group II (48 hours after last symptom) and between mean TNF alpha concentration and LVM (left ventricular mass), LVMI (left ventricular mass index) in group I. The concentrations of TNF alpha and IL-10 did not correlate with other clinical parameters. The results of our study suggest that serum concentrations of pro- (TNF alpha) and antiinflammatory (IL-10) cytokines may be increased in patients with stable and unstable angina. These increased concentrations do not reflect the clinical state of patients.     

IL-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist in stable angina pectoris and relation of IL-6 to clinical findings in acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: To determine if increased inflammatory activity, as reflected by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) levels, is present in patients with stable angina pectoris and if IL-6 levels on admission to the coronary care unit in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are related to heart failure and fever response. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 28 patients with stable angina pectoris enrolled for coronary angiography, and compared them with sex- and age-matched controls. Thirty-four patients with AMI were studied and samples for determination of IL-6 levels were taken on admission within 36 h of onset of symptoms. IL-6 and IL-1ra were determined in serum by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Levels of IL-6 and IL-1ra were higher in patients with stable angina pectoris than in controls (mean 4.6 +/- 3.6 vs. 3.0 +/- 2.9 ng L-1, P < 0.03, and 774 +/- 509 vs. 490 +/- 511 ng L-1, P < 0.01, respectively). IL-6 and IL-1ra levels were not related to angiographic findings. IL-6 levels were high in patients with AMI (38.9 +/- 75.6 ng L-1). Patients with prolonged fever (duration > 4 days) had higher IL-6 levels (94.7 +/- 138.2 vs. 21.7 +/- 29.7 ng L-1, P < 0.05). IL-6 levels were not related to heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that increased inflammatory activity is present not only in acute coronary syndromes, but also in a chronic form of ischaemic heart disease, giving further evidence for a central role of inflammatory processes in coronary artery disease. With regard to AMI, we found increased inflammatory activity in patients with prolonged fever.     

Circulating interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and soluble ICAM-1 in patients with chronic stable angina and myocardial infarction

The changes in serum concentrations of cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and a soluble-intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) has been investigated in patients with stable angina and acute myocardial infarction. Thirty-four patients with stable angina (SA), 15 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 20 subjects in the control (C) group were included in the study. The mean serum concentrations of sICAM-1, IL-1-beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha differed significantly among the three groups. Serum concentrations of IL-1 beta, sICAM-1, and TNF-alpha were comparable in the AMI and SA groups and higher than those found in the C group (p < 0.001). The serum concentration of IL-6 was more than twice as high in the AMI group as compared to the other two groups (p < 0.001). The mean serum concentrations of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 were comparable in the AMI and SA groups and higher than in the C group.