Serum levels of the antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 are decreased in patients with unstable angina.
BACKGROUND
Proinflammatory cytokines play a role in acute coronary events. However, the potential role of antiinflammatory cytokines in the modulation of the atherosclerotic process remains unknown. Interleukin (IL)-10, which is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques, has potent deactivating properties in macrophages and T cells. The aim of this study was to assess whether serum concentrations of IL-10 differed between patients with unstable and stable angina pectoris.


RESULTS
A total of 95 patients with angina pectoris and angiographically documented coronary artery disease were studied. Of these, 50 patients had chronic stable angina (with stable symptoms over 3 months), and 45 patients had Braunwald class IIIB unstable angina with ST-segment changes. Serum IL-10 and IL-6 concentrations were measured on admission using commercially available immunoassays. Serum IL-10 concentrations were lower in unstable angina patients compared with those who had chronic stable angina (28.4 versus 14.0 pg/mL; 95% CI, 9.8 to 19.0; P<0.0001), even after adjustment for variables that were significantly different on univariate analysis. IL-6 concentrations were higher in the unstable angina group (20.9 versus 11.4 pg/mL; 95% CI, 1.0 to 12.6; P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with unstable angina had significantly lower serum IL-10 concentrations than did patients with chronic stable angina. This important finding is in keeping with previous data from animal model studies that suggest that IL-10 has a protective role in atherosclerosis.
Smith
D A
DA
Coronary Artery Disease Research Unit, Department of Cardiological Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Irving
S D
SD
Sheldon
J
J
Cole
D
D
Kaski
J C
JC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
D015850:Interleukin-6; D016753:Interleukin-10; D002784:Cholesterol