Serum IL-33 In Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Objective:This study was designed to investigate the change of serum IL-33 levels in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD) and to determine the relationship between serum IL-33 levels and the severity of coronary artery stenosis represented by Gensini scores.Methods:This study included 116 patients with coronary artery disease(CAD) hospitalized in the cardiology department of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between Nov,2009 and Mar, 2010. Patients were divided into two groups according to clinic manifestation and results of coronary angiography:Stable angina(SA) group(n=57) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group(n=59). Sixty of age-and sex-matched normal subjects were recruited as control group. All subjects underwent coronary angiography and Gensini scores were estimated. Serum IL-33 levels were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Serum IL-33 were significantly higher in ACS group [49.11(19.58-54.77) ng/ml] than in both SA group[16.25 (11.55-24.13)ng/ml,] (p<0.001) and control group [13.82 (9.42-18.88) ng/ml](p<0.001). Patients in SA group tended to have higher IL-33 levels than in control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.126). Gensini scores were significantly higher in ACS group (59.93±42.54) than in SA group (34.26±31.78, P<0.001). Serum IL-33 levels were correlated positively with the severity of coronary artery stenosis reflecting by Gensini scores (r=0.362,P<0.001). Serum IL-33 concentrations were correlated positively with hs-CRP(r=0.253, P<0.001). The difference of serum IL-33 did not reach statistical significance in UA subgroup [50.73(19.20-56.86)ng/mL] and MI subgroup [43.0(19.58-50.73)ng/mL] (P=0.376)。Conclusion:Serum IL-33 levels were increased in patients with coronary artery disease and was positively correlated with Gensini scores, suggesting the possible role of IL-33 in predicting coronary artery stenosis sererity. Serum IL-33 level was significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome than in patients with stable coronary heart disease, indicating the potential role of IL-33 in identifying unstable. coronary artery disease patients.