Biochemical imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as putative risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – A cross-sectional study on South Indian population

Rajarajeswari Ranganadane; Sumathi Saravanakumar; Srinivasan Abu Raghavan; Asmathulla Shafiulla; Girija Subramanian; Maithili Karpaga Selvi Nachimuthu

Rajarajeswari Ranganadane Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital
Sumathi Saravanakumar Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute
Srinivasan Abu Raghavan Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute
Asmathulla Shafiulla Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital
Girija Subramanian Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital
Maithili Karpaga Selvi Nachimuthu All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur

Keywords: Chronic inflammation, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, hs-CRP, Cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Background and aims: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is a commonly observed autoimmune thyroid disease and a frequent cause of hypothyroidism. The nexus between hypothyroidism and risk of cardiovascular diseases is of current interest globally. Chronic inflammation culminating in endothelial dysfunction is perceived as a link. The association of HT with cardiovascular diseases still needs to be clearly delineated. The inflammatory markers and their association with thyroid autoimmunity in HT patients is attempted herein. Material and methods: Eighty (80) HT patients and an equal number of controls were enrolled in this study. Serum concentration of TSH, FT4, FT3, Anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin – 10 (IL-10) and high sensitivity – C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) were estimated. Results: A significant increase in the levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP in HT patients (p < 0.01) was observed as against healthy controls. IL-10 levels significantly declined in HT patients. IL-6 was found to be positively correlated with both TSH and Anti-TPO (p < 0.01) among HT subjects. Conclusion: An imbalance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines prevalent in HT could be a valuable tool to assess cardiovascular risk.