Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 and Vascular Risk in Alcoholics

Introduction: Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) is a pleiotropic cytokine. Its relationship with atherosclerosis is debatable, protective or deleterious effects have been described. Alcoholics are at increased vascular risk. Although TGF-beta 1 is increased in alcoholics, its role on vascular risk factors has not been analyzed. This is the objective of this study. Patients and methods: 79 heavy alcoholics and 34 controls were included. Calcium deposition in the aortic arch was assessed in the plain thorax X-ray film. Ankle-brachial index was recorded in 48 patients. All the patients underwent complete laboratory evaluation, including serum levels of TGF-beta 1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). We analyzed the relationships between TGF-beta 1 and vascular risk factors by both univariate (parametric or non parametric tests), or multivariate analysis to discern on which variables TGF-beta 1 levels depend. Results: Serum TGF-beta 1 levels were higher among patients (t = 2.73; P = 0.008), but no differences exist among cirrhotics (17246 +/- 11,021 pg/mL) and non-cirrhotics (21,340 +/- 12,442 pg/mL). TGF-beta 1 showed significant correlations with total cholesterol (r = 0.28; P = 0.017) and HDL- cholesterol (r = 0.25; P = 0.042), and inverse correlations with body mass index (BMI; rho = -0.37; P = 0.004), IL-4 (rho = -0.31; P = 0.009), INF-gamma (rho = -0.28; P = 0.001), and IL-6 (rho = -0.38; P = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, only BMI, IL-6 and HDL-cholesterol showed independent relationships with TGF-beta 1. No relationships were observed with ankle-brachial index or calcium in the aortic arch, hypertension, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy or atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: TGF-beta 1 levels are increased in alcoholics, but are unrelated to vessel wall calcification or arterial stiffness.