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[Do cytokines have any value in the patients with chronic blood circulation insufficiency?]
W Mazurek1, B Jołda-Mydłowska, B Halawa
1Katedry i Kliniki Kardiologii AM we Wrocławiu.
Insights
This study found that heart failure treatment reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in severe heart failure patients. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, however, remained unchanged by the therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Heart failure is a prevalent and growing public health concern.
- Neurohormonal activation and cytokine involvement are key in heart failure pathophysiology.
- Existing treatments include ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and digoxin.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of standard heart failure therapy on plasma cytokine levels.
- To analyze changes in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in heart failure patients undergoing treatment.
Summary:
- 75 patients with NYHA functional class II and III-IV heart failure were treated with enalapril, furosemide, and digoxin.
- Plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured before and after therapy.
- Significant improvements in NYHA classification were observed.
- Post-treatment, plasma IL-6 levels decreased in NYHA class III-IV patients, while TNF-alpha levels showed no significant change.
Impact:
- Treatment for chronic heart failure can modulate specific cytokine levels, particularly IL-6 in more advanced stages.
- This suggests a potential link between therapeutic interventions and the inflammatory state in heart failure.
- Further research may explore targeted therapies based on cytokine profiles.
Abstract:
Heart failure is a common and increasing public problem. Neurohormonal activation plays a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure, but is probably also affected by cytokines. We studied 75 patients with heart failure NYHA functional class II and III-IV, who were treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (enarenal), diuretics (furosemide) and digoxine. Their mean age was 63.9 years/range 65-86/, left ventricular ejection fraction in the patients NYHA functional class II and III-IV classes was 68.9% and 47.3% respectively; 12 were females. Significant improvements in NYHA classification were shown. The levels plasma TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analysed before and after therapy. The authors showed increased plasma levels TNF-alpha and IL-6 in patients with chronic heart failure. After the treatment the plasma IL-6 levels decreased only in the patients III-IV NYHA functional classes, whereas the treatment had no effect on the plasma TNF-alpha levels.