Changes and clinical relevance of plasma interleukin-6 and high sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with coronary heart disease and angina

Objective To explore the roles of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods One hundred and fifty patients diagnosed as angina pectoris by coronary angiography were enrolled and randomly divided into unstable angina pectoris group ( UAP group n =78) and stable angina group (SAP group n =72). At the same time,50 cases with normal coronary angiography were selected as control. The plasma level of IL-6 was measured by ELISA, and hsCRP was measured by immunonephelometry. Results The mean plasma levels of IL-6 and hsCRP were significantly higher in UAP group compared with SAP group ( IL-6 ( 36. 98 ± 9. 35 ) pg/L vs. ( 23.19 ± 7. 35 ) pg/L; hsCRP ( 2. 25 ± 0. 73 ) μg/Lvs 1.88 ± 0. 68 ) μg/L; P ＜ 0. 01 respectively), both were significantly higher than those of control group ( IL-6 (16. 93 ± 6. 15 )pg/L and hsCRP (1.28 ± 0.40)μg/L,P ＜0.01 respectively). We also found significantly positive relationship between IL-6 and hsCRP plasma level ( r = 0. 875, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Inflammatory response might play an important role in CHD. IL-6 and hsCRP were of high value in prediction of angina pectoris and development of CHD. Key words: Coronary heart disease;  Angina pectoris;  Interleukin-6;  High sensitive C-reactive protein