Interleukin-10 as a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events in a racially and ethnically diverse population: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Abstract Purpose To understand if baseline levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) are associated with either subclinical atherosclerosis or risk for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Methods The study included 930 adults from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) ancillary Stress Study. Participants, age 48–90 years at enrollment, were followed for an average of 10.2 years. IL-10 level was measured at the initial Stress Study visit. Cardiovascular outcomes were defined as composite CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, stroke death, and resuscitated cardiac arrest. Coronary calcification was determined by Agatston coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. The association between IL-10 level and CV event risk was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard modeling, while that of IL-10 level and CAC presence and amount was determined with prevalence risk ratio (PRR) and linear regression modeling, respectively. Models were adjusted for CV risk factors and proinflammatory biomarkers. Results After full adjustment, IL-10 level did not predict CV events (HR 1.19, 95%CI 0.89, 1.60) and was not associated with CAC prevalence (PRR 1.00, 95%CI 0.94, 1.07), nor amount of CAC in those with nonzero CAC (β -0.01, 95%CI -0.23, 0.21). Conclusion In individuals without clinical heart disease, baseline IL-10 level appears unrelated to risk of CV events and is a poor marker of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.