Circulating IL-8 levels in heart failure patients with and without metabolic syndrome

Background: It has been suggested that the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for heart failure (HF) and progression of HF. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We tested whether the presence of the MetS would be associated with the increased degree of inflammatory state in HF. Methods: Ninety-one eligible consecutive stable HF patients participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements were carried out and serum concentrations of lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (apoB, apoAI) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. The simultaneous measurement of 17 cytokines using bioplex analysis was used. Result: Thirty-five subjects (39% of total, 48% of males and 31% of females) were classified as having the MetS in total HF patients. Serum concentrations of apoB (p < 0.005) were significantly higher and the ratio of apoAI and apoB was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in HF patients with MetS than those without MetS. Plasma levels of IL-8 (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in HF patients with MetS than those without MetS. In addition, serum concentrations of hsCRP (p < 0.005) were significantly higher in HF patients with MetS compared to those without MetS. Conclusions: The MetS in HF is associated with increased degree of inflammation, which provides information regarding the relationship between inflammation and HF with MetS.