Angiography; an Inducer of TGF-Β during Early Atherosclerosis

Introduction: Angiography is an X-ray-based technique for the diagnosis of disorders of the arteries, veins, and heart chambers. X-ray is a potential factor for the modulation of immune responses, including cytokines, the key molecules that participate in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Due to the potential roles of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in cardiovascular disease, this study was designed to evaluate the IL-6 and TGF-β serum levels before and after angiography in atherosclerosis suspected patients. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, the IL-6 and TGF-β serum levels were explored, using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, in the healthy controls as well as three groups, including atherosclerosis suspected patients without, obstruction of 1 and more than 1 vessel. The IL-6 and TGF-β serum levels also were evaluated before angiography and 3 hours after angiography in the last three groups. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that TGF-β serum levels were significantly higher in the controls in comparison of other groups (p> 0.001). Angiography and smoking increased TGF-β (p= 0.027) and IL-6 (p= 0.035) serum levels, respectively, in atherosclerotic patients with obstruction of 1 vessel. Age had a positive, moderate correlation with IL-6 in the non-atherosclerotic patients (rs: 0.479, p= 0.039). Conclusion: Down-regulation of TGF-β may be associated with induction of inflammation in the patients. Angiography, via up-regulation of TGF-β, may reduce inflammation in the patients and smoking may increase the progression of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic patients. Age may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases via up-regulation of IL-6.