The Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 in Patients with Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia

Abstract EN

Background/Aim.

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered as a variant of atherosclerosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are among the sensitive markers of systemic inflammation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the cytokines; TNF-α and IL-6 in CAE patients.

Methods.

Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in 36 patients with CAE (28 males, mean age: 58.2±12 years), and results were compared with age and sex-matched controls (n=32) without coronary artery ectasia.

TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in blood were assesed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results.

Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar.

TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CAE group than controls (15.6±11.2 pg/mL versus 7.8±3.7 pg/mL, P<.001, and 17.2±12.6 versus 7.6±2.1 , P<.0001, resp.).

Conclusion.

CAE patients showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 levels compared to the controls.

This study provides evidence for alterations in the proinflamatory cytokines which suggest the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of CAE.

Further placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of this increase in TNF-α and IL-6 levels.