Correlation and association of plasma interleukin-6 and plasma platelet-derived microparticles, markers of activated platelets, in healthy individuals

IntorductionThe aim of this study was to clarify the correlation and association of plasma IL-6 and PDMPs, both of which are associated with metabolic syndrome, in healthy individuals.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 464 healthy Japanese volunteers (210 men and 254 women, median age 39 and 35 years, respectively) who had no signs, symptoms or history of cardiovascular- or cerebrovascular disease and took no medications. We assayed their IL-6 levels with a conventional ELISA kit and their PDMP levels by ELISA and monoclonal antibodies against CD42b and CD42a (glycoprotein Ib and IX).ResultsBy multivariate analysis, the plasma level of PDMP was correlated with diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.015), platelet count (p < 0.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and the plasma level of IL-6 (p < 0.001) in men (R2 = 0.454, p < 0.001) and was correlated with platelet count (p < 0.001) and the plasma level of IL-6 (p < 0.001) in women (R2 = 0.159, p < 0.001). Quartile range of plasma level of IL-6 was associated with plasma level of PDMP after adjustment for diastolic blood pressure, platelet count, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in men (p < 0.001) and associated with plasma level of PDMP after adjustment for platelet count in women (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results suggest the plasma IL-6 is correlated and associated with the plasma PDMPs, markers of activated platelets in healthy individuals.