Levels of Proinflammatory Cytokines, Oxidative Stress, and Tissue Damage Markers in Patients with Acute Heart Failure with and Without Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 1

Background: Cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS type 1) is characterized by a rapid worsening of cardiac function leading to acute kidney injury (AKI). Inflammation and oxidative stress seem to play a pivotal role in its pathophysiology. In this in vivo study, we examined the putative role of inflammation and humoral markers in the pathogenesis of the CRS type 1.

Methods: We enrolled 53 patients with acute heart failure (AHF); 17 of them developed AKI (CRS type 1). The cause of AKI was presumed to be related to cardiac dysfunction after having excluded other causes. We assessed the plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, sICAM, RANTES, GMCSF), oxidative stress marker (myeloperoxidase, MPO), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in AHF and CRS type 1 patients.

Results: We observed a significant increase in IL-6, IL-18, and MPO levels in CRS type 1 group compared to AHF (p < 0.001). We found higher NGAL at admission in the CRS type 1 group compared to the AHF group (p = 0.008) and a positive correlation between NGAL and IL-6 (Spearman's rho = 0.45, p = 0.003) and between IL-6 and BNP (Spearman's rho = 0.43, p = 0.004). We observed lower hemoglobin levels in CRS type 1 patients compared to AHF patients (p < 0.05) and inverse correlation between hemoglobin and cytokines (IL-6: Spearman's rho = -0.38, p = 0.005; IL-18: Spearman's rho = -0.32, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Patients affected by CRS type 1 present increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, increased levels of tissue damage markers, and lower hemoglobin levels. All these factors may be implicated in the pathophysiology of CRS type 1 syndrome.