Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 and Vascular Risk in Alcoholics

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) is a pleiotropic cytokine. Its relationship with atherosclerosis is debatable, protective or deleterious effects have been described. Alcoholics are at increased vascular risk. Although TGF-β1 is increased in alcoholics, its role on vascular risk factors has not been analyzed. This is the objective of this study.

79 heavy alcoholics and 34 controls were included. Calcium deposition in the aortic arch was assessed in the plain thorax X-ray film. Ankle-brachial index was recorded in 48 patients. All the patients underwent complete laboratory evaluation, including serum levels of TGF-β1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ).We analyzed the relationships between TGF-β1 and vascular risk factors by both univariate (parametric or non parametric tests), or multivariate analysis to discern on which variables TGF-β1 levels depend.

Serum TGF-β1 levels were higher among patients (t = 2.73; P = 0.008), but no differences exist among cirrhotics (17246 ± 11,021 pg/mL) and non-cirrhotics (21,340 ± 12,442 pg/mL). TGF-β1 showed significant correlations with total cholesterol (r = 0.28; P = 0.017) and HDL- cholesterol (r = 0.25; P = 0.042), and inverse correlations with body mass index (BMI; ρ = -0.37; P = 0.004), IL-4 (ρ = -0.31; P = 0.009), INF-γ (ρ = -0.28; P = 0.001), and IL-6 (ρ = -0.38; P = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, only BMI, IL-6 and HDL-cholesterol showed independent relationships with TGF-β1. No relationships were observed with ankle-brachial index or calcium in the aortic arch, hypertension, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy or atrial fibrillation.

TGF-β1 levels are increased in alcoholics, but are unrelated to vessel wall calcification or arterial stiffness.