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

Abstract

Background/Aim. Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered as a variant of atherosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) 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- and IL-6 in CAE patients.Methods. Plasma concentrations of TNF- and IL-6 were measured in 36 patients with CAE (28 males, mean age: years), and results were compared with age and sex-matched controls () without coronary artery ectasia. TNF- and IL-6 concentrations in blood were assesed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. TNF- and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CAE group than controls ( pg/mL versus  pg/mL, , and versus  , resp.).Conclusion. CAE patients showed increases in TNF- 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- and IL-6 levels.