[Levels of plasma interleukin-18 and interferon-gamma in patients with coronary heart disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in coronary heart disease (CHD).


METHODS
The levels of plasma IL-18 and IFN-gamma in 45 patients with CHD and 30 normal volunteers were determined by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between the levels of these two cytokines and the relationship between their levels and the state of CHD were analyzed.


RESULTS
The plasma levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma in patients with CHD were increased significantly when compared to those in normal controls [IL-18: (373.6+/-176.7) ng/L vs. (226.3+/-88.9) ng/L, P<0.01; IFN-gamma: (1.769+/-0.087) ng/L vs. (0.087+/-0.038) ng/L, P<0.01]. The two cytokines were positively correlated significantly (r=0.788, P<0.01)]. The plasma levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma were significantly different in different states of CHD, and they increased with the aggravation of CHD respectively (all P<0.01). Moreover, the plasma levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma in patients complicated with heart failure (HF) were higher than those not complicated with HF, respectively (all P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that IL-18 and IFN-gamma may participate in the pathogenesis and progression of CHD. The plasma levels of two cytokines may be used as parameters of estimation the morbid state of CHD.
Wang
Shu-fei
SF
The Affiliated Shenzhen Baoan Hospital of Nanfang Medical College, Shenzhen 518101, Guangdong, China. szwangshufei@126.com
Xu
Jin-cheng
JC
Liang
Qing-xiang
QX
D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D020382:Interleukin-18; D007371:Interferon-gamma