Effects of oestrogenic agents on rat peritoneal mast cells

Objectives and design:  The objective of this study was to explore whether increased levels of inflammatory cytokines are associated with the risk of clinically silent coronary artery disease. Subjects:  Three-hundred-fifty-six black adults aged 25–54 residing in inner city of Baltimore, Maryland, United States were included in this study. Methods:  Sociodemographics were assessed as were lipid profiles, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography was performed. Results:  Coronary calcification was identified in 22.5 % participants and 14 % had significant (≥50 %) coronary stenosis. Multiple logistic regression analyses suggested that IL-6 levels were independently associated with the presence of coronary calcification and significant coronary stenosis, while TNF-alpha, sICAM-1 and hs-CRP levels were not. Conclusions:  This study underscores a critical role for IL-6 in atherosclerosis and suggests that IL-6 may be a marker for significant coronary stenosis in cardiovascularly asymptomatic individuals. This research was funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse grants RO1-DA12777 (Lai S), and RO1-DA15020 (Lai S). Received 22 November 2007; returned for revision 28 May 2008; received from final revision 6 August 2008; accepted by M. Parnham 7 August 2008