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Systemic inflammatory markers in patients with aortic sclerosis

Mihaela Rugina1, Iuliana Caras, Ruxandra Jurcut

  • 1Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases C.C. Iliescu, Bucharest, Romania. rugina.mihaela@gmail.com

Roumanian Archives of Microbiology and Immunology
|October 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Inflammation markers like Interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated in patients with aortic sclerosis (AS) and correlate with cardiovascular disease severity. This suggests a chronic inflammatory process in AS patients, especially after acute coronary events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Aortic sclerosis (AS) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
  • Specific inflammatory mediators in AS patients require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate inflammatory mediators in patients with aortic sclerosis.
  • To correlate these mediators with the severity of cardiovascular disease.
  • To explore the role of inflammation in AS and its association with acute coronary events.

Main Methods:

  • Serum levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1Ra), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule 1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) were measured in 51 AS patients using ELISA.
  • MMP activity was assessed by zymography.
  • Correlation analyses were performed to relate mediator levels to CVD severity.

Main Results:

  • Increased MMPs expression correlated with gelatinase activity.
  • Positive correlations were found between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum levels.
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration positively correlated with MMP-9 serum level and activity.
  • Higher levels of IL-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were observed in patients with significant atherosclerosis burden.
  • Significantly elevated IL-6 levels were noted in patients with coronary artery disease and a history of myocardial infarction.
  • A trend towards higher inflammatory mediator concentrations was observed with increasing aortic valve disease severity.

Conclusions:

  • Results support an "inflammatory pattern" associated with aortic sclerosis pathology.
  • Chronic inflammation may persist in AS patients, particularly after acute coronary events.
  • Elevated IL-6 levels are linked to increased CVD severity and acute coronary events in AS patients.

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