Repeated measurements of serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in the evaluation of internal carotid artery stenosis progression.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The inflammatory process (with TNFα, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 involvement) plays a key role in the development, progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of double-checked measurements of TNFα, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (Il-10) serum levels in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis to determine the dynamics of changes in the stenosis degree and in the ultrasound plaque morphology.

METHODS

The study included 65 patients with ICA stenosis. Ultrasound of the carotid arteries was performed during qualification and every 3 months to identify any progression of stenosis degree and dynamics of changes in plaque morphology. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured during qualification and at month 6 of the study. Calculations considered cytokine concentrations and their indices determined as relative differences of cytokine levels assessed in the first and in second tests.

RESULTS

Patients with increasing degree of ICA stenosis had higher indices of IL-6 and IL-10 than patients without any increase in the stenosis degree. In patients with unfavorable dynamics of changes in plaque morphology, significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 were found in the second test; these patients had higher indices of IL-6 and IL-10 than patients with favorable dynamics of atherosclerotic plaque morphology on ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term trends in serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 in patients with ICA stenosis allow to predict the progression of the degree of stenosis and the unfavorable change of atherosclerotic plaque morphology.