Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is detectable in human carotid artery plaques and is related to triglyceride levels and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA antibodies.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Il-1ra) and interleukin-1beta (Il-1beta) can be detected in human carotid artery tissue, and whether their presence is related to evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, risk factors for atherosclerosis, and clinical data. SETTING: Departments of Vascular Diseases and Surgical Pathophysiology, University Hospital, Malm?, Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 66 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (median age 74, range 53-89 years, 26 women). Il-1beta and Il-1ra were studied in carotid artery plaques and in Il-1ra in serum. RESULTS: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was detected in mononuclear cells in plaques from 37/66 (56%) patients. Patients with Il-1ra in plaques showed higher [2.04 (1.70-3.14) mmol x L(-1) vs. 1.69 (1.09-1.99) mmol x L(-1); P