Thelper 1/ Thelper 2 cells imbalance in unstable angina

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the levels of Th1 related interleukins, IL-12 and IL-18, as well as the Th2 related interleukin, IL-10 in the patients of unstable angina.Method:Fifty patients, clinically diagnosed as having unstable angina proven by coronary angiography, and 30 age and gender matched control subjects without coronary artery disease were included in the study. IL-10, IL-12 and IL-18 concentrations were measured using ELISA and that of hsCRP was measured using Latex particle enhanced Immunoturbidimetry. Result: IL-12 and IL-18 levels were found to be increased in unstable angina patients and IL-10 decreased in the same group as compared to the control group. Both the cytokines IL-12 and IL-18 were positively correlated amongst each other and with the concentration of hsCRP and negatively correlated with the levels of IL-10. Conclusion:Our findings suggested a role of inflammation in the form of imbalance in Th1/Th2 subsets with suppressed activity of Th2 cells and an increased activity of Th1 cells in patients of unstable angina.