OBJECTIVESTo explore serum cytokines levels (including IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-upsilon) and their significance in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the subsequent follow-ups, with attempt to estimate the role of various serum inflammatory markers in the diagnosis and assessment of ACS.

METHODSThe study population include 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 40 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and 40 controls. Among the 80 patients, 60 patients attended a follow up 4 months later. Serum inflammatory markers including IL-1beta, slL-2R, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-upsilon were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSSerum IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNF-alpha were significantly higher in AMI group or UAP group compared to the control group and became significantly lower 4 months later in the follow-up patients. Serum levels of IFN-upsilon shows no significant difference between AMI group or UAP group and controls, also showing no significant change when measured in follow up patients. There was no correlation between serum creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels and serum inflammatory markers either in UAP or AMI group. Furthermore, when divided into two subgroups using Wagner's QRS scoring system in the AMI group, there is no difference of each serum inflammatory marker between < or = 6 scores group and > 6 scores group.

CONCLUSIONSerum levels of certain inflammatory markers may have some diagnostic value for ACS, and can be a useful marker reflecting disease stability.