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Granulocyte activation after coronary angioplasty in humans
S De Servi1, A Mazzone, G Ricevuti
1Division of Cardiology, University of Pavia, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Italy.
Insights
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) activates neutrophils, increasing elastase levels. This procedure also reduces superoxide anion generation in the coronary sinus, indicating neutrophil deactivation post-PTCA.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neutrophil activation is implicated in cardiovascular events.
- Proteolytic enzymes and oxygen free radicals released by neutrophils can damage tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neutrophil activation following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
- To assess the release of elastase and superoxide anion from neutrophils after PTCA.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples collected from the coronary sinus and aorta in 14 stable angina patients undergoing PTCA.
- Neutrophils isolated and stimulated to measure elastase release and superoxide anion generation.
- Plasma elastase levels measured using an immunoenzymatic method.
Main Results:
- PTCA significantly increased plasma elastase levels in both coronary sinus and aorta (p < 0.005).
- Superoxide anion generation by neutrophils decreased significantly in the coronary sinus post-PTCA (p < 0.05).
- A non-significant decrease in superoxide anion generation was observed in the aorta.
Conclusions:
- PTCA leads to neutrophil activation, evidenced by increased elastase discharge.
- The observed decrease in superoxide anion generation suggests a potential deactivation of neutrophils in the coronary sinus after PTCA.
Abstract:
To determine whether percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) would lead to neutrophil activation with subsequent discharge of proteolytic enzymes, like elastase, and oxygen free radicals, like superoxide anion, blood samples were taken from the coronary sinus and aorta in 14 patients with stable angina and one-vessel disease who underwent PTCA. Neutrophils were separated by means of the Ficoll-Hypaque system and were stimulated to detect release of elastase and generation of superoxide anion. Plasma levels of elastase were also measured by an immunoenzymatic method. PTCA was successful in all patients. Plasma elastase levels increased significantly at the end of the procedure compared with pre-PTCA values both in the coronary sinus (from 129.2 +/- 16.6 to 286.6 +/- 39.7 micrograms/l, p less than 0.005) and in the aorta (from 117.4 +/- 13.6 to 258.1 +/- 41.3 micrograms/l, p less than 0.005). On the other hand, superoxide anion released in the supernatants after neutrophil stimulation by phorbol-myristate-acetate decreased after PTCA in the coronary sinus (before PTCA, 60.1 +/- 7.1; after PTCA, 40.7 +/- 6.8 nmol 1 x 10(7) granulocytes/ml/15 min, p less than 0.05), whereas a mild but not significant decrease was observed in the aorta (from 58.3 +/- 10.9 to 55.3 +/- 8.6 nmol 1 x 10(7) granulocytes/ml/15 min, p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)