Comparative study between inflammatory cytokines and coronary lesions in patients with unstable angina

Objective:To explore the serum levels of cytokines and the morphology of coronary lesions in patients with unstable angina (UA). Method:Serum levels of C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1 beta (IL 1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) were determined in 30 patients with UA (UA group) and 35 patients with stable angina (SA group) by immunoturbidometry and radio immuneassay, and data were compared with 37 controls. Coronary angiography was performed in all patients, and the severity of coronary stenosis was evaluated by a quantitative method. Result:① Serum levels of CRP, IL 1β and TNF α were significantly higher in patients with UA than those in patients with SA (P 0.05 ～ 0.01 ) and controls(P 0.01 ), but no difference between the latter two groups was found(P 0.05 ). Type Ⅱ lesions were more frequently found in patients with UA than those with SA ( 66.67 % vs 20%,P 0.01 ). Sever coronary stenosis occurred more common in patients with SA than those with UA (P 0.05 ). Patients with type Ⅱ lesions had significantly higher serum levels of CRP, IL 1β and TNF α than those with other type lesions (P 0.05 ～ 0.01 ), but no difference among different stenosis grades and numbers of lesions existed (P 0.05 ). Conclusion:The results demonstrate that there are activation of inflammatory cells and inflammation in patients with UA, which may play an important role in the disruption and thrombosis of plaque and the pathogenesis of UA.