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

BACKGROUND/AIM: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered as a variant of atherosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) 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-alpha and IL-6 in CAE patients. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha 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-alpha and IL-6 concentrations in blood were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. TNF-alpha 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-alpha and IL-6 levels compared to the controls. This study provides evidence for alterations in the proinflammatory 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-alpha and IL-6 levels.