A new immunological marker of atherosclerotic injury of arterial wall

Background and objective: The atherosclerotic arterial injuries lead to man y life threatening vascular incidents. It has been well documented that inf lammatory processes play an important role in atherogenesis. Intensive stud ies are undertaken to find a serum marker of inflammatory reaction correlat ed with arterial injuries. Methods: In our study we measured the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in pati ents with dyslipidemia IIa and IIb biochemically confirmed. Control estimat ions were done in age matched group. Arterial injuries were evaluated as a thickening of complex intima-media in common carotid arteries by means of D oppler ultrasonography. Results: Levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in both groups of patient s with dyslipidemia as compared with the healthy control persons (IIa vs co ntrol p<0.001, IIb vs control p<0.001). The plasma level of IL-6 is signifi cantly correlated to intima-media complex thickness (r=0.68, p<0.0001). Conclusion: We conclude that increase of serum concentration of IL-6 may be related to arterial wall injuries in the course of the most atherogenic li pid disorders.