Open AccessSpecific changes in circulating cytokines and growth factors induced by exercise stress testing in asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis
Author(s) -
Renata Kolasa-Trela,
Małgorzata Konieczyńska,
Marta Bazanek,
Anetta Undas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0173787
Subject(s) - asymptomatic , medicine , hepatocyte growth factor , vascular endothelial growth factor , endocrinology , proinflammatory cytokine , cytokine , transforming growth factor , growth factor , cardiology , inflammation , vegf receptors , receptor
Background We evaluated exercise-induced changes in the profile of circulating cytokines and growth factors in patients with AS. Methods We studied 32 consecutive asymptomatic moderate-to-severe AS patients and 32 age and sex-matched controls. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were measured at 4 time points, i.e. at rest, at peak bicycle exercise, one hour and 24 hours after a symptom-limited exercise. Results Exercise increased all the 5 markers in both groups (all p<0.0001). The maximum levels of all tested cytokines were higher in the AS group (all p<0.05) compared with controls. In AS patients the highest levels of VEGF, IL-6, and IL-10 were observed one hour after exercise, while in the control group at peak exercise. In both groups maximum TGF- β levels were observed one hour after exercise. HGF levels were higher at peak and one hour after test in the AS group (p = 0.0001), however the maximum value in AS was observed at peak while in controls after test. In both groups TGF-β was the only marker that remained increased 24 hours after exercise compared with the value at rest (p = 0.0001). The cytokines and growth factors showed no association with heart rate and the workload. Conclusion In asymptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe AS, exercise produces a different pattern of changes in circulating cytokines and growth factors, and maximum levels of all tested cytokines were significantly higher in AS patients compared with the control group.