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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Oxidative stress and inflammation due to peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes after coronary angiography vs
R Farah1, R Shurtz-Swirski, Y Bolotin
1Department of Internal Medicine F, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel. raymond.f@ziv.health.gov.il
Insights
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) contribute less to oxidative stress and inflammation during diagnostic coronary angiography compared to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This finding aids in evaluating cardiac patients for PCI versus angiography.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Inflammation Research
- Oxidative Stress
Background:
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) involves balloon inflation or stent implantation in coronary arteries, potentially triggering inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are inflammatory cells that release reactive oxygen species, exacerbating oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial injury during PCI.
- Existing research indicates that PCI can worsen oxidative stress and inflammation, increasing complication risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific contribution of PMNLs to oxidative stress and inflammation during coronary interventions.
- To compare PMNL activity in patients undergoing PCI versus diagnostic coronary angiography.
Main Methods:
- Patients were randomized into two groups: PCI (n=9) and diagnostic coronary angiography (n=11).
- PMNLs were isolated before and after procedures to measure superoxide release and CD11b levels (PMNL priming).
- White blood cell count, PMNL count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen levels were monitored to assess inflammation.
Main Results:
- Patients undergoing PCI exhibited higher baseline oxidative stress and inflammation parameters compared to the angiography group.
- PCI procedures induced increased oxidative stress and inflammation.
- A positive correlation was observed between serum creatine phosphokinase and PMNL superoxide release, linking PMNL activity to cardiac disease severity.
- While systemic inflammation markers (CRP, fibrinogen) decreased post-PCI, PMNL-specific markers did not show a similar decrease.
Conclusions:
- PMNLs play a lesser role in oxidative stress and inflammation in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography compared to those undergoing PCI.
- This study provides a new perspective for evaluating cardiac patients undergoing either PCI or diagnostic coronary angiography.
Aim:
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as an invasive procedure includes inflation of a balloon and/or implantation of an endovascular prosthesis (stent) in an atherosclerotic coronary vessel at a level where the plaque narrows its cross-sectional area by more than 75%. Various reports have demonstrated that balloon inflation or stent implantation trigger inflammation and subsequent growth of smooth muscle cells. Both oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation parameters worsen, increasing the risk of complications. The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) is one of the inflammatory cells releasing reactive oxygen species contributing to OS, inflammation and endothelial injury. The aim of this study was to study the contribution of PMNLs during coronary intervention.
Methods:
Patients enrolled in this study were randomized into two groups, namely nine patients undergoing PCI procedure, compared to 11 undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. PMNLs were separated from patient blood, before and following PCI. PMNL priming was measured by rate of superoxide release from PMNLs and flow cytometry analysis of CD11b levels. PMNL-related inflammation was estimated by white blood cells (WBC) and PMNL count. Systemic inflammation was monitored by C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen.
Results:
Tested patients were divided into patients undergoing PCI procedure, compared to those undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography; already at time ''0'', OS and inflammation parameters were higher in the PCI group of patients. OS parameters decreased significantly following PCI procedure. PCI itself induces increased OS and inflammation. Significant positive correlation was found between serum creatine phosphokinase and rate of superoxide release from PMNLs, indicating correlation between PMNL priming and the severity of cardiac disease. Systemic inflammation parameters, such as fibrinogen and CRP, showed significant decrease in the PCI group after the procedure, while those related to PMNLs did not.
Conclusion:
PMNL contribution to OS and inflammation is lower in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography, compared to the PCI group. This research adds new facet to evaluation of cardiac patients whether they will undergo PCI procedure or diagnostic coronary angiography.
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