Does interleukin-18 or tumour necrosis factor-alpha have an independent association with the risk of coronary heart disease? Results from a prospective study in New Zealand

Welsh, P. , Woodward, M., Rumley, A., MacMahon, S. and Lowe, G.D. (2010) Does interleukin-18 or tumour necrosis factor-alpha have an independent association with the risk of coronary heart disease? Results from a prospective study in New Zealand. Cytokine, 50(1), pp. 94-98. (doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2009.12.014)

Abstract

Background: The pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-18 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) may play a role in coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to extend data on their relationships to the risk of CHD in generally healthy populations. Methods: During 5.5 years follow-up in the Fletcher Challenge general population cohort there were 256 CHD cases, and 615 controls were matched for age and sex. Baseline plasma levels of IL-18 and INF alpha were related to CHD risk in available samples (77%). Results: Plasma levels of IL-18 (11% increase in mean, p = 0.01) and TNF alpha (10% increase in mean p = 0.024) were significantly elevated in CHD cases versus controls. In univariable models IL-18 was associated with CHD risk (odds ratio [OR] upper third to lower third, 1.63; 95% Cl 1.08, 2.46), but TNF alpha was not (OR 1.33; 95% Cl 0.87, 2.02). After adjusting for major CHD risk factors and CRP, the association of IL-18 with CHD risk was attenuated (OR 1.69; 95% Cl 0.94, 3.03). Conclusions: IL-18, but not TNF alpha, had a non-negligible association with CHD risk, although the association of IL-18 with risk was weak after full adjustment. These cytokines may play a role in CHD pathology, but may not be robust risk biomarkers. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: AGE ASSOCIATION ATHEROSCLEROSIS BIOLOGY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cohort Coronary heart disease CORONARY-HEART-DISEASE DISEASE ENGLAND Epidemiology EXPRESSION FACTOR-ALPHA FOLLOW-UP haemostasis HEART heart disease HEART-DISEASE IL-18 INCIDENT CORONARY INCREASE inflammation INFLAMMATORY MARKERS LEVEL MICE MODEL MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION pathology PLASMA POPULATION Prospective RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS RISK risk factors Risk markers RISK-FACTOR RISK-FACTORS Scotland TNF alpha UNSTABLE ANGINA WOMEN
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Woodward, Professor Mark and Rumley, Dr Ann and Lowe, Professor Gordon and Welsh, Professor Paul
• Authors: Welsh, P., Woodward, M., Rumley, A., MacMahon, S., and Lowe, G.D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Cytokine
• ISSN: 1043-4666