Correlation between apoptotic endothelial microparticles and serum interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in healthy men

Inflammation has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis has been implicated in atherogenesis. The correlation between circulating concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and endothelial micro-particles (EMPs) expressing an apoptotic (EMP31) or activation (EMP62E) phenotype in 20 middle-aged healthy men was investigated. IL-6 was significantly correlated with EMP31 (r = 0.6, p = 0.004), which persisted after adjusting for body mass index and CRP. CRP was significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.49, p = 0.02) but not with EMP31 or EMP62E. EC apoptosis is associated with IL-6 levels in men and might be partially responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk associated with subclinical inflammation. (c) 2005 by Excerpta Medica Inc.