Relation of Coronary Artery Lumen with Baseline, Post-angioplasty Coronary Circulating Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Background: Atherogenic progression in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) involves a chronic inflammatory process, where local production or release of pro-inflammatory mediators into coronary circulation has a main role. Proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNFα and IL1β have been particularly related with the atheroma plaque and CAD severity. Aim: To explore whether characteristics of the coronary artery affected by atheroma plaque were related with coronary circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and their modifications after angioplasty. Methods: Patients with CAD and stable coronary plaque, submitted to coronary angiography and stenting. Coronary artery lumen diameter at the site of the main atherogenic lesion was measured by intravascular ultrasound, whereas IL-6, TNFα and IL1β concentration in coronary and peripheral blood samples, either before or after angioplasty were determined by multiplexing assay. Baseline distribution of coronary cytokines, or its modification after angioplasty, was evaluated according to the diameter of the lumen of coronary artery (subgroups divided by cutoff value 3.5 mm). Results: Coronary lumen diameter <3.5 mm was related to higher baseline coronary concentrations of IL-1β; as well as to the significant increase in coronary concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6, after angioplasty. Baseline cytokines at peripheral blood did were not modified by coronary lumen diameter; however, coronary lumen <3.5 mm was associated to a peripheral increase in IL-1β, after angioplasty. Conclusion: Coronary lumen diameter, possibly implying plaque characteristics, affects baseline and post-angioplasty coronary concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with CAD.