BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that cytokines play a pathogenic role in both heart failure and atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to assess serum levels of selected cytokines and soluble forms of receptors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the relation between these concentrations and left ventricular (LV) systolic function. MATERIAL/METHODS: We measured serum levels of TNFalpha, sTNFR 1 and 2, IL-2, and IL-10 in 100 patients with CAD: 70 patients with LV regional wall motion disturbances (group A); and 30 patients with normal LV function (group B). The control group (group C) consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Mean serum TNFalpha and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher in groups A (18.3 ±3.5; 55.4 ± 118.5 pg/ml) and B (17.9 ± 4.9; 45.3 ±76.8 pg/ml) than in controls (8.3 ± 1.4, p<0.001; 14.3±28.5, p<0.05; respectively). Moreover, in group A serum levels of sTNFR 1 were higher (1367.4±531.1 pg/ml) than in group C (1093.9±456.9 pg/ml; p<0.05). No differences were found in the study groups between serum sTNFR 2 and IL-2 levels. In group A, both the LV ejection fraction and motion score index correlated with TNFα (r=–0.277; r=0.282; p<0.05), and sTNFR 1 levels (r=–0.258; r=0.280; p<0.05).
Conclusion: The serum concentrations of TNFα and IL-10 are increased in patients with CAD. Additionally, patients with impaired LV contractility have higher sTNFR 1 concentrations. Serum cytokine activation may play a role in the development of heart failure in patients with CAD.

Keywords: Case-Control Studies, Cholesterol, Coronary Arteriosclerosis, Cytokines, Triglycerides, Ventricular Function, Left