Soluble CD40 ligand, interleukin (IL)-6, and hemostatic parameters in metabolic syndrome patients with and without overt ischemic heart disease

• Main Authors: Nader El-Shahhat, Mahmoud M. Ramadan, Nader El-Malkey, Ashraf A. Omar, Ibrahim A. Abd El-Aal, Asmaa Eneen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2011-09-01
• Series: The Egyptian Heart Journal
• Subjects: Soluble CD40L; IL-6; Hemostasis; Metabolic syndrome; Ischemic heart disease
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110260811000251

Background and aim: Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L, also known as CD154) is a marker for platelet activation which could increase coagulation and inflammation. In this case-control study, we aimed to assess the levels of plasma sCD40L, IL-6, and some hemostatic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) whether or not associated with overt ischemic heart disease (IHD). Subjects and methods: We measured plasma sCD40L (an index of platelet activation), interleukin (IL)-6 (a proinflammatory cytokine), and some hemostatic parameters (tissue factor [TF], thrombin–antithrombin [TAT] and D-dimer) in 47 patients with metabolic syndrome (21 with and 26 without overt IHD) versus 25 comparable healthy control subjects. Results: Significantly higher levels of sCD40L, IL-6, and thrombotic markers (TF, D-dimer and TAT) were found in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to healthy controls. The levels of IL-6 and sCD40 were highest in patients with overt IHD. Strong positive correlations existed between sCD40L and IL-6 (r = 0.67, p = 0.003), TF (r = 0.59, p = 0.008), and platelets count (r = 0.64, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Higher levels of sCD40L, IL-6, and thrombotic markers exist in MetS patients, particularly those with IHD. The strong positive correlations between sCD40L and IL-6, TF, and platelets count support a link between the CD40–CD40L system and the underlying inflammatory and hypercoagulable state in MetS patients.