Expression and significance of T lymphocyte subsets, RANTES and inflammatory factors levels in serum of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

objectiveTo investigate the expression levels and significance of T lymphocyte subsets, RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), and inflammatory factors in serum of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

methods32 patients each with large (large AAA) and small (small AAA) groups were selected, and 32 normal subjects were selected as control group. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), RANTES and CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ expressions in peripheral blood were compared among the three groups.

resultsCompared with control group, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, RANTES and CD8+ T cells levels were higher in large and small AAA groups, while CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ levels were lower (P<0.05). Compared with small AAA group, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, RANTES and CD8+ T cells levels in large AAA group were higher, while CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ levels were lower (P<0.05). The abdominal aorta diameter was positively correlated with CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, RANTES and CD8+ T cells levels, while negatively correlated with CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ levels (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve results showed that the areas under the curve of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and RANTES in the diagnosis of AAA were all more than 0.800 (P<0.001).

conclusionThe serum of patients with AAA was in a state of inflammatory activation, and the expression of T lymphocytes was abnormal. The levels of T lymphocyte subsets, RANTES and inflammatory factors were closely related to abdominal aorta diameter. CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and RANTES levels could be used as auxiliary indicators for the diagnosis of AAA.