Repeated measurements of serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in the evaluation of internal carotid artery stenosis progression. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Puz, Przemyslaw; Lasek–Bal, Anetta
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 263(2017)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Carotid stenosis -- Unstable carotid plaque -- Tumor necrosis factor alpha -- Interleukin-6 -- Interleukin-10; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.06.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: The inflammatory process (with TNFα, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 involvement) plays a key role in the development, progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of double-checked measurements of TNFα, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (Il-10) serum levels in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis to determine the dynamics of changes in the stenosis degree and in the ultrasound plaque morphology. Methods: The study included 65 patients with ICA stenosis. Ultrasound of the carotid arteries was performed during qualification and every 3 months to identify any progression of stenosis degree and dynamics of changes in plaque morphology. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured during qualification and at month 6 of the study. Calculations considered cytokine concentrations and their indices determined as relative differences of cytokine levels assessed in the first and in second tests. Results: Patients with increasing degree of ICA stenosis had higher indices of IL-6 and IL-10 than patients without any increase in the stenosis degree. In patients with unfavorable dynamics of changes in plaque morphology, significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 were found in the second test; these patients had higher indices of IL-6 and IL-10 than patients with favorable dynamics of atherosclerotic plaque morphology on ultrasound. Conclusions: Long-term trends in serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 in patients with ICA stenosis allow to predict the progression of the degree of stenosis and the unfavorable change of atherosclerotic plaque morphology. Highlights: Ultrasound examination can identify vulnerable carotid plaques. TNFα, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 are involved in atherosclerosis development. Cytokines in a single test do not predict the direction of plaque morphology changes. Double-checked measurements allow to predict the stenosis progression.