ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the association of T help (Th) lymphocyte and heart rate variability (HRV) in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Methods Ninety-six patients with CHF and thirty healthy persons were enrolled in the study. Time-domain HRV analysis was performed based on 24 hour Holter Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was used as markers for the differentiation of Th1 subsets and interleukin-10 (IL-10) for the Th2 subsets. IFN-γand IL-10 in CD4 + T lymphocytes were quantified by 3-color flow cytometry. Results The frequency of IL-10-Producing T Cells in the CHF group was significantly lower than those in the healthy control ( ( 16.4 ± 5.8 ) % vs. ( 26.8 ± 3.7 ) %, t = 9. 243, P ＜ 0. 001 ). The frequency of IFN-γ in the CHF group ( ( 18.4 ± 7.3 )% ) was significantly lower than that in the healthy controls ( (7.3 ±4.6) % ,t =7. 917, P ＜ 0. 001 ). The following index of HRV in the CHF groups were all significantly lower than those in the healthy controls: (98. 6 ± 21.3) ms vs. ( 145. 1 ± 42. 6) ms for SDNN, (83. 9 ± 22.4) ms vs.(136.5 ±39.6)ms for SDANN, (40.6 ± 14.5) ms vs. (55.8 ± 17.9) ms for SDNNI, (20. 7 ± 12.9) ms vs.(29.1 ± 12.6) ms for RMSSD, (5.6 ± 3.7 ) % vs. ( 11.8 ± 4.4) % for PNN50 ( Ps ＜ 0.05 ). In CHF patients, the frequency of IL-10 were positively associated with SDNN, SDANN, SDNNI, RMSSD and PNN50 ( r = 0. 49,0. 57,0. 58,0.47 and 0. 52 ,respectively,Ps ＜ 0.01 ). In the CHF patients, the frequency of IFN-γand IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio were negatively associated with SDNN ,SDANN ,SDNNI, RMSSD and PNN50 ( r = - 0. 49, - 0. 54, - 0. 57, - 0.52,- 0.53, - 0. 52, - 0.64, - 0.57, - 0. 58, - 0. 67, Ps ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusions Autonomic nervous system is involved in the regulation of the balance of Th1/Th2 in patients with CHF. Sympathetic nerve system enhances the effect of Th1 ,whereas parasympathetic nervous system enhances the effect of Th2.