Elevated white cell count in acute coronary syndromes: Relationship to variants in inflammatory and thrombotic genes

Abstract

Background: Elevated white blood cell counts (WBC) in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) increase the risk of recurrent events, but it is not known if this is exacerbated by pro-inflammatory factors. We sought to identify whether pro-inflammatory genetic variants contributed to alterations in WBC and C-reactive protein (CRP) in an ACS population. Methods: WBC and genotype of interleukin 6 (1L-6 G-174C) and of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (1L1RN intronic repeat polymorphism) were investigated in 732 Caucasian patients with ACS in the OPUS-TIMI-16 trial. Samples for measurement of WBC and inflammatory factors were taken at baseline, i.e. Within 72 hours of an acute myocardial infarction or an unstable angina event. Results: An increased white blood cell count (WBC) was associated with an increased C-reactive protein (r = 0.23, p < 0.001) and there was also a positive correlation between levels of β-fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (r = 0.42, p < 0.0001). 1L1RN and 1L6 genotypes had no significant impact upon WBC. The difference in median WBC between the two homozygote 1L6 genotypes was 0.21/mm3 (95% C1 = -0.41, 0.77), and -0.03/mm3 (95% C1 = -0.55, 0.86) for 1L1RN. Moreover, the composite endpoint was not significantly affected by an interaction between WBC and the 1L1 (p = 0.61) or 1L6 (p = 0.48) genotype. Conclusions: Cytokine pro-inflammatory genetic variants do not influence the increased inflammatory profile of ACS patients. © 2004 Byrne et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.