Increased serum interleukin-34 in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated levels of interleukin (IL)-34, a proinflammatory cytokine, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

Following coronary artery angiography, 91 patients with CAD (including stable and unstable angina pectoris) were divided into two groups, the CAD group (coronary artery stenosis ≥ 50%) and the control group (coronary artery stenosis < 50%). Serum levels of factors including IL-34 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured.

RESULTS

IL-34 and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the control group (191.3 ± 17.9 pg/ml versus 125.4 ± 14.8 pg/ml and 3.08 ± 1.81 mg/ml versus 1.42 ± 1.01 mg/ml, respectively), with a significantly positive correlation between IL-34 and hs-CRP levels in the CAD group. Multiple regression analysis showed that IL-34 and hs-CRP levels were independent predictors of CAD (IL-34: odds ratio [OR] 2.073, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.419, 2.672; hs-CRP: OR 1.878, 95% CI 1.172, 2.531).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-34 levels were significantly increased in patients with CAD, and positively correlated with hs-CRP levels, suggesting that IL-34 may be an independent predictor of CAD.