Associations of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, fibrinogen, viscosity and C-reactive protein with cardiovascular risk factors and social deprivation: the fourth Glasgow MONICA study.
Circulating inflammatory markers [plasma fibrinogen, viscosity and C-reactive protein (CRP)] have been associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In part, these associations may reflect 'upstream' changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines - interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha. These variables were measured in 1666 men and women aged 25-64 years and their associations with risk factors were studied. All six markers increased significantly with age. IL-18 and TNFalpha levels were higher, and fibrinogen levels lower, in males. Oral contraceptive use increased levels of CRP, whilst postmenopausal women had elevated IL-18 levels. Inflammatory markers were also associated with components of the metabolic syndrome. Most inflammatory markers showed an increasing trend with alcohol consumption in men and a decreasing trend in women, and increasing trends with level of smoking. Inflammatory markers generally showed strong positive associations with social deprivation. After adjustment for classical risk factors, IL-6, IL-18 and TNFalpha retained significant associations with social deprivation only in men (P < 0.008). We conclude that pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with several cardiovascular risk factors including social deprivation, and may mediate some of their associations with 'downstream' inflammatory markers (fibrinogen, viscosity and CRP).
Welsh
Paul
P
Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Woodward
Mark
M
Rumley
Ann
A
Lowe
Gordon
G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein