Changes in serum interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome and their responses to simvastatin

Abstract

The role of inflammation in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the mechanism by which statin treats ACS is explored. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured in 50 patients with ACS [including 30 cases with unstable angina (UA) and 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)], 34 patients with stable angina (SA), and 30 controls. Patients in the ACS group were randomly assigned to a simvastatin group (including a simvastatin AMI subgroup, n = 11 and a simvastatin UA subgroup, n = 14) and a routine group (including a routine AMI subgroup, n = 9 and a routine UA subgroup, n = 16). The simvastatin group was given simvastatin 20mg/day and the routine group a placebo. After a 3-week follow-up, serum hs-CRP, IL-6 levels, and serum lipid concentrations were measured again. Both serum IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the ACS group (including the UA and AMI subgroups) than in the SA and control groups (P < 0.001). After 3 weeks of treatment with simvastatin, the serum IL-6, hs-CRP, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were decreased significantly in the simvastatin group (P < 0.001), but no significant changes were observed in the routine group. No relationship was observed between the rate of decrease of serum IL-6 or hs-CRP and serum lipids levels. The hs-CRP level showed a significant correlation with IL-6 by Spearman's rank correlation analysis (P < 0.01). Inflammation plays an important role in the initiation of ACS. Simvastatin possesses an anti-inflammatory effect, independent of its lipid-lowering action, which may play an important role in the early treatment of ACS.

Role of Pro-/Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines and their Correlation with Established Risk Factors in South Indians with Coronary Artery Disease

“…These findings are echoed in earlier studies. 39,41,[49][50][51][52][53] Mizia-Stec et al 39 found that there was an increase in TNF-α levels in patients with AMI. Luo et al 50 reported elevated levels of serum IL-6 in patients with ACS.…”

Functional electrical stimulation cycling improves body composition, metabolic and neural factors in persons with spinal cord injury

“…There is growing evidence that the development of atherosclerotic plaque is associated with inflammation and that the measurement of this inflammation has predictive value in determining risk for future thrombotic events (Ross, 1993;Tracy, 1997;Tracy et al, 1997;Luo et al, 2004). Markers of low-grade inflammation associated with heart disease include CRP, TNF-a and IL-6 (Luo et al, 2004;Chirinos et al, 2005).…”

“…Markers of low-grade inflammation associated with heart disease include CRP, TNF-a and IL-6 (Luo et al, 2004;Chirinos et al, 2005). Individuals with low risk of heart disease have low levels of these markers of inflammation, whereas those with high risk have high levels of these markers.…”

Early inflammatory cytokine response: A direct comparison between spontaneous coronary plaque destabilization vs angioplasty induced

“…Also ACS and AMI are accompanied by an acute inflammatory response and increased levels of CRP, acute phase proteins [1], and IL-6 [10]. In a study comparing stable angina pectoris (SAP) and unstable AP (UAP), the IL-18 concentrations tended to be higher in the UAP group; conversely, IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower [11].…”