Elevated Plasma IL-38 Concentrations in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Their Dynamics after Reperfusion Treatment

Objective. Recent studies suggest that IL-38 is associated with autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, IL-38 is expressed in human atheromatous plaque. However, the plasma levels of IL-38 in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have not yet to be investigated. Methods. On admission, at 24 h, at 48 h, and at 7 days, plasma IL-38, C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiac troponin I (cTNI), and N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were measured and IL-38 gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected in STEMI patients. Results. The results showed that plasma IL-38 levels and IL-38 gene expression in PBMCs were significantly increased in STEMI patients compared with control group and were time dependent, peaked at 24 h. In addition, plasma IL-38 levels were dramatically reduced in patients with reperfusion treatment compared with control group. Similar results were also demonstrated with CRP, cTNI, and NT-proBNP levels. Furthermore, IL-38 levels were found to be positively correlated with CRP, cTNI, and NT-proBNP and be weakly negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in STEMI patients. Conclusions. The results indicate that circulating IL-38 is a potentially novel biomarker for patients with STEMI and IL-38 might be a new target for MI study.