Association of cytokines with endothelium dependent flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) of systemic arteries in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.
BACKGROUND
Aim of this study was to elucidate the relation between localised inflammatory heart disease and endothelial dysfunction in the peripheral circulation, considering circulating cytokines as a potential link.


METHODS
In 38 patients with non-ischemic heart disease, myocardial biopsies were examined for myocardial inflammation (immunohistology) and virus persistence (PCR). Cytokines (sIL-4, IFN-g, IFN-b, IFN-a, sIL-12p7, TNF-a) were measured by ELISA in venous serum. Endothelial function of the radial artery was examined by ultrasound, measuring diameter changes in response to reactive hyperemia (FMD), compared to glyceroltrinitrate (GTN-MD). Patients with EF < 35% were excluded.


RESULTS
Age 44 +/- 14 years, 19 male, 19 female, EF 63.5[16]%. FMD 4.38 [4.82]%. 30 patients had myocardial inflammation (8 not), 23 virus persistence (15 not). FMD correlated significantly with sIL-12p7 (p = 0.024, r = -0.365), but not with other cytokines. sIL-12p7 levels were significantly higher in patients with severely impaired FMD (n = 17), compared with normal FMD (n = 21): 10.70 [10.72] vs. 4.33 [7.81] pg/ml (p = 0.002). Endothelium independent vasodilation (GTN-MD 23.67 [8.21]%) was not impaired.


CONCLUSIONS
Endothelial dysfunction of peripheral arteries in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is associated with elevated serum concentrations of sIL-12p7, but not of other cytokines. Circulating sIL-12p7 may partly explain, that endothelial dysfunction is not restricted to the coronary circulation, but involves systemic arteries.
Vallbracht-Israng
Katja B
KB
Department of Cardiology, Campus Virchow Hospital, Charité Medical University, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. katja.vallbracht-israng@charite.de
Kazak
Ilkay
I
Schwimmbeck
Peter L
PL
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D018664:Interleukin-12