Plasma Concentrations of Cytokines in Patients with Combined Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerotic Plaque before Treatment Initiation—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The formation and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques is a complex process involving several proteins and cytokines. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are examples of such cytokines. The goal of our research is to compare the concentrations of the above-mentioned indicators in the plasma of patients with verified high-risk atherosclerotic plaque to the plasma levels of healthy people before lipid lowering therapy. Materials and Methods: Patients with dyslipidemia who had the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque verified by ultrasonography were included in the study. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the plasma of these people were determined and compared with the concentrations of these cytokines in the plasma of the control group. Results: Levels of lipid panel, IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly lower in the group of healthy people than in the study group. Conclusions: The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-18 in the plasma of patients with ruptured plaque are higher than in the plasma of healthy people, suggesting that these cytokines as a panel might be used as new indicators of the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque.