title: Specific changes in circulating cytokines and growth factors induced by exercise stress testing in asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated exercise-induced changes in the profile of circulating cytokines and growth factors in patients with AS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 32 consecutive asymptomatic moderate-to-severe AS patients and 32 age and sex-matched controls. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were measured at 4 time points, i.e. at rest, at peak bicycle exercise, one hour and 24 hours after a symptom-limited exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exercise increased all the 5 markers in both groups (all p<0.0001). The maximum levels of all tested cytokines were higher in the AS group (all p<0.05) compared with controls. In AS patients the highest levels of VEGF, IL-6, and IL-10 were observed one hour after exercise, while in the control group at peak exercise. In both groups maximum TGF- β levels were observed one hour after exercise. HGF levels were higher at peak and one hour after test in the AS group (p = 0.0001), however the maximum value in AS was observed at peak while in controls after test. In both groups TGF-β was the only marker that remained increased 24 hours after exercise compared with the value at rest (p = 0.0001). The cytokines and growth factors showed no association with heart rate and the workload.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In asymptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe AS, exercise produces a different pattern of changes in circulating cytokines and growth factors, and maximum levels of all tested cytokines were significantly higher in AS patients compared with the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Medicine, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kolasa-Trela
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Medicine, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konieczynska
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Medicine, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bazanek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anetta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Undas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins