Abstract
Previous studies have shown that circulating levels of cytokines are increased in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), resulting in myocardial depression. In this work, we have determined serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ by ELISA, detected sTNFR-I by dot ELISA, as well as TNFα, IL-6, IL-10 and granulysin mRNA in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by RT-PCR in CHF patients. Such patients were classified using New York Heart Association criteria and compared to a control group of volunteers without CHF. The performed echocardiographic evaluations showed a significant difference between the control group and the patients. Additionally, the ejection fraction and the left ventricular fractional shortening showed a direct relation with functional classes, varying in inverse proportion. Generally, the studied cytokines in serum or PBMC did not correlate either to functional classes or to the presence/absence of CHF. However, the granulysin mRNA was detected in most of the patients tested as compared to controls. Moreover, the qualitative detection of the sTNFR-I also made it possible to discriminate between patients and the control group. Functional classes could be separated because of a direct association between CHF severity and elevated levels of sTNFR-I, defined by intensity of signal in dot-ELISA. Our results suggest that detection of granulysin mRNA as well as the detection of sTNFR-I appear to have a clinical relevance as markers of immune activation in CHF.
Highlights
Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are treated with diuretics, vasodilators and inotropic drugs, resulting in improvement in functional status and symptoms, but with no reduction in long-term mortality[1]
Anamnesis and clinical examination associated to echocardiography were able to give basic information concerning etiopathogenesis and physiopathology of the syndrome, as well as to address the therapeutic plan
The present study proposed the mRNA detection for IL-10 and IL-6 cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), in order to evaluate the potential differences in the CHF patients as compared to a control group (Table II)
Summary
Patients with CHF are treated with diuretics, vasodilators and inotropic drugs, resulting in improvement in functional status and symptoms, but with no reduction in long-term mortality[1]. Studies indicate that cytokines as TNFα and IL-1β depress the myocardial contractility[5] This phenomenon may be due to uncoupling of β-adrenergic signalling, increase in these cytokines may promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis, activation of metalloproteinases and impairment of the expression of their inhibitors, possibly contributing to cardiac remodelling[7]. It was demonstrated the expression of TNF-α in myocyte, endothelial cells, intramyocardial cells of vascular smooth muscle and blood vessels in the ventricles of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy[8]. The increased serum levels of IL-6 in patients with CHF are correlated with low ejection fraction, high right atrial pressures and poor prognosis[10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
