ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to evaluate the role of interleukin-6 [IL-6] as a predictor of atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease [CHD]. Forty male subjects were r and omized into this observational study: twenty healthy subjects included in the control group and twenty patients with unstable angina pectoris included in the CHD group. All subjects underwent thorough physical examination and history taking. Blood samples were obtained for assay of triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDLc], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDLc], C-reactive protein [CRP] and IL-6. Atherogenic index was calculated as the ratio of TC to HDLc. All subjects underwent color-coded carotid duplex examination. Patients in the CHD group also underwent coronary angiography. Compared to controls, patients in the CHD group were significantly older, had significantly higher body mass index [BM1], blood pressure and proportion of smokers. They also had significantly higher TG, TC, LDL, AI, CRP and IL-6, but significantly lower HDL [p<0.001 for all]. Smokers in the CHD group had significantly higher BMI, TG, TC, LDL, AI, CRP and IL-6 and significantly lower HDL compared to non-smokers. Both CRP and IL-6 correlated with BMI only in the CHD group. CRP and IL-6 correlated strongly with each other in both control and CHD groups. Both CRP and IL-6 correlated strongly with the results of carotid duplex examination. Interleukin-6 correlates strongly with CRP in patients with unstable angina. IL-6 can be used as a marker for the severity of atherosclerosis. Future research on the use of anti-inflammatory therapy may result in a new approach to treament and prevention of cardiovascular disease