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Cytokines in pericardial effusion of patients with inflammatory pericardial disease

Konstantinos Karatolios1, Rainer Moosdorf, Bernhard Maisch

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Giessen & Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany. karatoli@med.uni-marburg.de

Mediators of Inflammation
|May 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) are elevated in inflammatory pericardial effusion, suggesting their involvement in the disease's development. These angiogenic cytokines play a key role in inflammatory heart conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The specific roles of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines in inflammatory pericardial effusion (PE) are not fully understood.
  • Investigating these cytokines is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of inflammatory heart conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess and compare the levels of vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in pericardial effusion and serum.
  • To determine the relationship between these cytokines and the causes of inflammatory PE (autoreactive vs. viral) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure cytokine levels.
  • Samples were collected from patients with inflammatory PE (autoreactive and viral) and control patients with CAD.
  • Cytokine levels in pericardial fluid (PF) and serum were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • VEGF levels were significantly higher in both PE and serum of patients with inflammatory PE compared to CAD patients.
  • Pericardial bFGF levels were higher than serum levels in both inflammatory PE and CAD groups.
  • Pericardial VEGF correlated positively with inflammation markers, while bFGF showed a negative correlation. IL-1β and TNF-α were rarely detected.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated levels of VEGF and bFGF in pericardial effusion indicate their potential involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory pericardial disease.
  • These findings highlight the importance of angiogenic cytokines in inflammatory cardiovascular conditions.
Abstract

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