Plasma cytokines, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis in humans.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) integrate inflammatory and adipose signaling but also have direct vascular effects. We hypothesized that plasma levels of IL-6 and soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 2 (sol-TNFR2) would be related to coronary atherosclerosis beyond established risk factors and the metabolic syndrome.

METHODS:

We examined the association of IL-6 and sol-TNFR2 with metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein (CRP), and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in 875 asymptomatic participants in the Study of Inherited Risk of Coronary Atherosclerosis.

RESULTS:

IL-6 levels were 56% higher (p < .001) and sol-TNFR2 levels 16% higher (p < .001) in subjects with metabolic syndrome compared with those without. Both cytokines were associated with CAC beyond age, gender, Framingham risk scores, family history, metabolic syndrome, and CRP (odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of higher CAC for 1 SD increase in log-transformed cytokine levels: 1.23 [1.06-1.43], p = .006 for IL-6 and 1.15 [1.01-1.31], p = .04 for sol-TNFR2). In fact, cytokine levels were independently associated with CAC scores in the subgroup with metabolic syndrome and were additive to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in predicting CAC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Plasma IL-6 and sol-TNFR2 levels were independently associated with CAC, suggesting a role in integrating innate immune and adipose signaling in promoting atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Measurement of their levels may facilitate cardiovascular risk prediction and targeting of therapeutic strategies.

• Authors: Muredach P Reilly, Anand Rohatgi, Kimberly McMahon, Megan L Wolfe, Shailesh C Pinto, Thomas Rhodes, Cynthia Girman, Daniel J Rader
• Journal: Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research (J Investig Med) Vol. 55 Issue 1 Pg. 26-35 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 1081-5589 [Print] England
• PMID: 17441409 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Adult
• Atherosclerosis (blood, diagnostic imaging)
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Calcinosis (diagnostic imaging)
• Coronary Angiography
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Male
• Metabolic Syndrome (blood)
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)