The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia.
OBJECTIVE
Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered as a variant of atherosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are among the sensitive markers of systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the cytokines; TNF-alpha and IL-6 in CAE patients.


METHODS
Plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in 36 patients with CAE (28 males, mean age: 58.2 +/- 12 years), and results were compared with age and sex-matched controls (n = 32) without coronary artery ectasia. TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations in blood were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CAE group than controls (15.6 +/- 11.2 pg/mL versus 7.8 +/- 3.7 pg/mL, P < .001, and 17.2 +/- 12.6 versus 7.6 +/- 2.1 P < .0001, resp.).


CONCLUSIONS
CAE patients showed increases in TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels compared to the controls. This study provides evidence for alterations in the proinflammatory cytokines which suggest the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of CAE. Further placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of this increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels.
Aydin
Mustafa
M
Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Kozlu, Zonguldak, Turkey. drmustafaaydin@hotmail.com
Tekin
Ishak Ozel
IO
Dogan
Sait Mesut
SM
Yildirim
Nesligul
N
Arasli
Mehmet
M
Sayin
Muhammet Rasit
MR
Aktop
Ziyaettin
Z
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha