Serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and C-reactive protein in patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty during a 6-month follow-up.

leukin‐6, inter leukin‐10 and C‐reactive protein... 115 INTROduCTION During the initial phase of myo­ cardial infarction (MI) in the infarction zone an in­ tensive process of healing, known as remodeling, being a sequence of inflammatory and immuno­ logical phenomena leading to the resorption of ne­ crotic tissues and their replacement by a scar is observed.1 Recent studies show that inflamma­ tory processes also play a role in post­infarction changes in the non­necrotic area, such as an in­ crease in the volume of cardiac chambers and a change in the shape and an increase in muscular mass of the left ventricle (LV), which is known as post­infarction cardiac remodeling.2 It is assumed that increased and persistent activation of proin­ flammatory factors, including inter leukin­6 (IL­6) and C­reactive protein (CRP), may enhance myo­ cardial injury and contribute to heart failure.3,4 Moreover, anti­inflammatory factors, particular­ ly inter leukin­10 (IL­10), exert protective action by inhibition of excessive activation.5,6 ORIGINAL ARTICLE