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Document Details : Title: Levels of proinflammatory cytokines and hs-CRP in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia Author(s): D. Gokalp , A. Tuzcu , M. Bahceci , S. Arikan , A.G. Pirinccioglu , S. Bahceci Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 64 Issue: 5 Date: 2009 Pages: 603-609 DOI: 10.2143/AC.64.5.2042689 Abstract : Objective — Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an extremely rare (1/1.000.000) condition characterized by markedly increased LDL cholesterol levels and a significantly increased risk of premature coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to evaluate the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and proinflammatory cytokines, which are known to be associated with atherogenesis, in patients with this condition. Method and results — A total of 10 patients with homozygous FH (5 women and 5 men, mean age 17.0 ± 6.9 years, body mass index (BMI) (18.8 ± 1.9 kg/m2) and 16 healthy controls were included. hs-CRP levels, proinflammatory cytokine levels and lipid parameters were measured and compared between patients and control subjects. Homozygous FH patients had significantly higher total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) levels and significantly lower triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels, compared to controls (P = 0.0001, for all). Serum hs-CRP (3.7 ± 1.3 mg/L vs. 0.6 ± 0.6 mg/L) and IL-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α levels were all significantly higher in the homozygous FH group, compared to controls (P = 0.0001, for all). Conclusions — Homozygous FH patients have significantly higher levels of hs-CRP and circulating proinflammatory cytokines, which may explain their increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. hs-CRP is an important biomarker that may be helpful in the identification of asymptomatic CHD in FH patients. |
