Each SD increment of plasma neopterin and KTR was associated with an increased risk of major coronary events (HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.10-1.48 and HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.12-1.48, respectively).
Cohort (n=2,380)
Do elevated systemic markers of IFN-γ activity (plasma neopterin and KTR) predict major coronary events and mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease?
Systemic markers of IFN-γ activity, specifically plasma neopterin and KTR, are significant predictors of long-term major coronary events and mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Hazard Ratio: 1.28 (95% CI 1.1–1.48)
OBJECTIVE: Interferon γ (IFN-γ) is centrally involved in atherosclerosis-related inflammation, but its activity cannot be reliably assessed by systemic measurements. In activated macrophages, IFN-γ stimulates production of neopterin and conversion of tryptophan to kynurenine. We evaluated the relationships of plasma neopterin and plasma kynurenine:tryptophan ratio (KTR) to long-term prognosis in patients with stable angina pectoris and angiographically verified significant coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples were obtained from 2380 patients with a mean age of 63.7 years; 77.3% were men. During a median follow-up of 56 months, 10.8% of patients experienced a major coronary event (MCE), and 9.5% died. For MCE, each SD increment of neopterin and KTR (logarithmically transformed) was associated with multivariable adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs of 1.28 (1.10 to 1.48) and 1.28 (1.12 to 1.48), respectively. The corresponding hazard ratios (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality were 1.40 (1.21 to 1.62) (neopterin) and 1.23 (1.06 to 1.43) (KTR). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stable angina pectoris, systemic markers of IFN-γ activity, plasma neopterin, and plasma KTR provide similar risk estimates for MCE and mortality. Our results support experimental data linking IFN-γ to acute atherosclerotic complications.
Pedersen et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in stable angina pectoris and angiographically verified significant coronary artery disease (n=2,380). Plasma neopterin and plasma kynurenine:tryptophan ratio (KTR) was evaluated on major coronary event (MCE) (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.48). Each SD increment of plasma neopterin and KTR was associated with an increased risk of major coronary events (HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.10-1.48 and HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.12-1.48, respectively).