[Proinflammatory cytokines and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in ischemic heart disease].

Blood serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured by ELISA in patients with stable and unstable angina. Levels of cytokines and sICAM-1 were elevated in patients with stable and were even higher in patients with unstable angina. Among patients with stable angina those with more severe symptoms had higher serum activity of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Increased expression of sICAM-1 was associated with augmented systemic secretion of cytokines. This association was more pronounced in patients with unstable angina. Patients with stable angina and hyperlipidemia compared with those with normal lipids had higher levels of sICAM-1. Levels of both cytokines were similar in patients with and without hyperlipidemia. However levels of total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol increased while level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased with elevation of TNF-alpha from the lowest to the highest tertile.