Plasma cytokines as predictors of coronary heart disease

Growing body of evidence explicitly suggests the significant role of inflammatory processes in vascular diseases related to atherosclerosis. Monocytes, present in every phase of atherogenesis, are the principal cells accumulating in atherosclerotic plaque. Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 (MCP-1) seems to influence firm adherence of rolling monocytes and infiltration into the artery wall. Although the significant meaning of inflammation in atherogenesis has been proved, potential role of antiinflammatory cytokines remains unknown. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a major cytokine of pleiotropic antiinflammatory function known to exert inhibitory effects on monocytes. Recent data emerging from clinical and pathological studies suggest important role of thrombosis and fibrinolytic disorders in atherosclerosis complications especially in coronary heart disease (CHD). Individuals with greater Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) level are believed to be more susceptible to cardiovascular disease.

In our study we measured the plasma levels of MCP-1, IL-10 and PAI-1 in 10 patients with stable angina and 10 healthy subjects. We also estimated its mutual correlations. The plasma levels of MCP-1, IL-10 and PAI-1 were determined with R&D kits (ELISA).

Plasma levels of MCP-1 were significantly higher (261.5+/-40.7 pg/mL vs 73.3+/-3.05 pg/mL; p<0.0002) and also levels of PAI-1 were higher (79.36+/-5.8 ng/mL vs 35.88+/-1.38 ng/mL; p<0.0001) in patients with SA compared with the healthy control subjects. Whereas plasma levels of IL-10 were lower (11.6+/-0.5 pg/mL vs 16.5+/-0.4 pg/mL; p<0.0001) compared with control group and correlated with both MCP-1 plasma level (r=-0.67; p<0.0015) and PAI-1 concentration (r=-0.69; p<0.0008).

The data obtained confirm the predictive role of cytokines in patients with stable coronary heart disease. The negative correlation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and PAI-1 was also found.