This study aims at assessing
NF-kB activity in
unstable angina (UA) patients free of symptoms after a 1 year follow-up (1YFU). Plasma oxidized
low-density lipoproteins (
oxLDL), circulating
NF-kB,
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and
Interleukin 1β (IL-1β),
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (
hs-CRP), as markers of oxidative stress and
inflammation and plasma
double-stranded DNA (
ds-DNA), as marker of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), were measured in 23 of the previously enrolled 27 UA patients. These measurements were compared to the UA data at baseline, and then compared to the data derived from the
stable angina (SA) and controls (C) enrolled in our previous study (we demonstrated that UA had higher levels of
NF-kB compared to SA and C). After a 1YFU, UA patients show a significant decrease in
NF-kB,
IL-6,
hs-CRP,
oxLDL, and
ds-DNA plasma levels (p < 0.001) and in IL-1β and White Blood Cells (WBC) (p < 0.005), without differences in
lipid and
glucose assessment. If compared to SA and C, UA after a 1YFU have higher levels of
NF-kB,
IL-6,
ds-DNA, WBC, and
oxLDL compared to C (p < 0.001), but only
IL-6 is higher than SA (p < 0.001). No differences are found in
lipid and
glucose assessment. After a 1YFU, patients with a history of UA improve their oxidative and inflammatory status, such as the levels of circulating
ds-DNA, without achieving the status of C. They become comparable to SA subjects. This study provides new insight on the multiple and apparently contradictory facets of
NF-kB in UA and on its possible role as mediator in NETs' formation.