Th2-dependent cytokine release in patients treated with coronary angioplasty

Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the T helper (Th)2-dependent release of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-13 in patients with unstable angina treated with coronary angioplasty (PCI). Methods This study involved 48 consecutive patients with unstable angina who underwent PCI. Blood samples were taken before and 48 h after PCI to evaluate serum IL-4 and IL-13 levels. Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed in terms of the severity of the treated lesions and the presence of multivessel disease, and compared with IL release. Results Before and after PCI, serum IL-4 levels were, respectively, 53.1 +/- 110.7 and 35.1 +/- 16.9 pg/ml (P not significant), and serum IL-13 levels 6.7 +/- 3.7 and 6.0 +/- 2.9 pg/ml (P < 0.05). A correlation was present between the severity of the treated coronary lesions and serum IL-13 levels (r 0.36; P < 0.05). The patients with multivessel coronary artery disease had a higher periprocedure ratio of IL-4 than those with single-vessel coronary artery disease (1.46 +/- 0.76 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.34, P < 0.001). Conclusion A significant decrease was observed in Th2-dependent IL concentrations after PCI; increased Th2-dependent IL levels before PCI seem to correlate with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.