Reflections of interleukin 33, Fetuin A and Cytokeratin 18 in
pericardium and plasma in patients with coronary artery disease
Abstract
Background: Interleukin 33, Fetuin A and Cytokeratin 18 are
important inflammatory mediators in coronary artery diseases; however,
although the plasma levels of these markers are generally used for the
evaluation, their pericardial levels have not been explored. This study
aims to determine the pericardial behavior of these mediators in
coronary artery diseases and their regression to plasma.
Methods: The gene expression and protein levels of interleukin
33, Fetuin A and Cytokeratin 18 in plasma and pericardial fluid were
investigated in 40 patients undergone coronary bypass surgery.
Results: According to ELISA findings, Interleukin 33 and Fetuin
A protein levels have been found to be significantly increased in
pericardial fluid compared to plasma, p<.05. Although
cytokeratin 18 protein level was also dramatically increased in
pericardial fluid, it was not statistically significant. Gene
expressions of interleukin 33 and Fetuin A were found to be
significantly increased in pericardial fluid compared to plasma,
corroborating the protein levels. Conclusions: Interleukin 33,
Fetuin A and Cytokeratin 18 levels are clinically important and
biomarkers that should be followed. Fluctuations of these biomolecules
suggest that pericardial fluid has a potential to be used as a source of
biomarkers for coronary artery diseases, even if sampling from the
pericardium is not sustainable. Increased Interleukin 33 and Fetuin A
proposes apoptotic machinery activated in the heart tissues of our
patients. Pericardial fluid is an important target for both diagnosis
and treatment because of its proximity and relationship to the heart
tissue.